Milwaukee police officer charged after allegedly pointing gun at woman's head

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee police officer has been charged with two misdemeanors after allegedly pointing his service weapon at a woman's head back in January.

According to a criminal complaint, 29-year-old Rodney Abernathy was off-duty at the time. 

The woman, who identified Abernathy as her boyfriend, showed up at his Milwaukee home, with two friends dropping her off. 

The complaint goes on to say Abernathy and the woman "had words" and he came out of the house holding a firearm and grabbed her neck. It says he then cocked the gun -- later identified as his duty weapon -- and pointed it at her head. 

The complaint says the woman ran to her friend's car and Abernathy followed and pinned her down in the vehicle, at one point also grabbing her friend's neck. Multiple witnesses reported seeing Abernathy cock and point the gun at the victim. 

When questioned, Abernathy admitted to raising his gun, but denied pointing it at anyone. He said there was a round in the chamber.

Abernathy is charged with endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct. 

In a statement, the Milwaukee Police Department said, "The Milwaukee Police Department holds all members to the highest degree of integrity and if any member violates the code of conduct, they will be held accountable."

They say Abernathy is currently on administrative duty and an internal investigation is pending.

He is scheduled to appear in court on May 15.