One-time basketball standout charged with stabbing roommate

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A one-time basketball standout now faces murder charges in Gwinnett County.

Investigators told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh 24-year-old Stephen O'Reilly stabbed his roommate to death. The alleged attack happened Saturday inside a Snellville home.

O'Reilly was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is the son of a politician from St. Croix. According to his online biography, he held the record for most points ever scored in basketball games played in the U.S. Virgin Islands, at 76. He played basketball at the University of North Florida.

Police said O'Reilly turned himself in Monday night in Pensacola, Fla.

"He approached some officers in Pensacola, Fla. and subsequently directed (them) to the vehicle he had stolen as well," Gwinnett County police Cpl. Jake Smith said.

Police said O'Reilly and the victim both rented a room inside a Snellville home on Hurndon Road. When officers arrived at the home Saturday, 28-year-old Brent Francis had multiple stab wounds. He later died at the hospital, but police said he lived long enough to tell them what happened.

"He essentially named his roommate, Stephen O'Reilly, as the person who attacked him," Smith said.

Investigators said they don't know what motivated the alleged attack.

Police said O'Reilly took off in the victim's car. After he disappeared, police issued an alert for him and the missing car. O'Reilly was holding a copy of the alert when he turned himself in, police said.

WSBTV