Man charged with attempted murder of father in Aitkin County

A man who was arrested last month was charged on Monday with the attempted murder of his father in Aitkin County.

The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office said dispatch received a call from a woman on Nov. 6 stating her son told her he’d just killed his dad and was on the way to get her. Deputies were familiar with the son, identified as Andrew Riley O’Neil, from previous incidents and responded to the father’s home.

While they were en route, deputies saw O’Neil near a stalled vehicle on Highway 47 displaying assaultive behavior toward a woman who’d stopped to help him, the sheriff’s office said. He was arrested immediately and then told a deputy he’d pointed a gun at this father and pulled the trigger four times but the gun never fired.

On Monday, charges of attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, threats of violence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, first-degree property damage and four misdemeanor charges were filed against O’Neil.

He’s remained in custody since his arrest, authorities said.