Charges filed after father fights off armed man during attempted home invasion

SALINE CO., Mo. (KCTV) - Charges have been filed against one man who had multiple weapons on him when a local father fought him off during a home invasion.

Saline County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Tuesday, April 1, indicate that Nicholas J. O’Bryan, 36, of Marshall, has been charged in connection to the incident.

A probable cause statement filed by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office revealed that around 9:40 p.m. on Monday, law enforcement officials were called to an area home with reports of an invasion. A child advised dispatch that his father had been fighting with someone who broke into their home.

During the investigation, it was found that O’Bryan had allegedly broken into the family’s house shortly before they returned home for the evening. As they watched a movie in the basement, they noticed a shadowy figure behind a doorway.

Law enforcement officials noted that the father confronted O’Bryan and fought with him as a hunting knife belonging to a roommate fell from the intruder’s pocket. The father was able to use the knife to maintain control of O’Bryan until first responders arrived. The child hid in a bathroom closet until he could get to emergency crews.

As O’Bryan was taken into custody, investigators said a BB gun that had been altered to look like a handgun was found along with an actual firearm, a straight razor and a butterfly knife. As he was taken into custody, he itted the gun had been stolen.

During an interview with detectives, they said O’Bryan itted he had gone into the house to steal items of value that he could resell. As a result, he has been charged with burglary, stealing and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, he could face up to 22 years behind bars and be forced to pay a $20,000 fine.

A docket hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, with a preliminary hearing expected at 1:30 p.m. on April 30. No further information has been released.

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.