A 26-year-old man from South Carolina, Jake O’Leary, has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly attacking a friend with a sword in a hotel room during the Anthrocon convention in Pittsburgh. The incident occurred early Thursday morning at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, where police were called around 1 a.m. following reports of a person bleeding and screaming for help.
Upon arrival, officers found the victim in the lobby with significant injuries, including a severe cut to her pinkie finger that extended down to the bone. She declined to be transported to the hospital by medics, opting to seek treatment on her own. O’Leary also sustained minor injuries, including a bruise on his cheek.
According to witnesses, O’Leary had invited the victim and another friend to stay in his hotel room while they waited for their own accommodations to be ready. As the group prepared for bed, O’Leary reportedly yelled, “Allah does not approve,” before grabbing a large sword and attacking the victim. The assault was described as chaotic, with the victim attempting to defend herself until the other men intervened.
The victim and O’Leary had a brief romantic history but were currently just friends. O’Leary is being held at the Allegheny County Jail on a $25,000 bail, with a preliminary hearing set for July 15.
