Officer arrested after allegedly pointing firearm at fellow cop over microwaved fish: Warrant
A now-former South Carolina police officer faces a felony charge after allegedly pointing his department-issued firearm at a fellow officer during a confrontation about microwaved fish, according to authorities and an arrest warrant.
Michael Debiase, 46, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which investigated the incident.
The confrontation allegedly occurred on Saturday in a briefing room at the Myrtle Beach Police Department, authorities said.
Debiase allegedly confronted a fellow officer who was "warming up fish in the microwave, causing an odor in the office," the arrest warrant stated. During the confrontation, the detective allegedly "drew and pointed his department-issued handgun" at the other officer, the arrest warrant stated.
Both officers provided statements, according to the arrest warrant. The other officer was not publicly identified.
Debiase was immediately placed on administrative leave amid investigations by the Myrtle Beach Police Department's Office of Professional Standards and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, police said.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department said in a statement Tuesday that it has "recently separated employment" with Debiase.
"Based on information learned during the Office of Professional Standards investigation, several policy violations were identified," the Myrtle Beach Police Department said in a statement Tuesday.
"This incident does not reflect the values demonstrated by the men and women of the Myrtle Beach Police Department every day," the statement added. "However, it does demonstrate our commitment to accountability and our willingness to address conduct that falls short of our expectations."
It is illegal to point a loaded or unloaded firearm at another person under South Carolina law. Police did not say whether Debiase's firearm was loaded during the alleged confrontation.
Debiase was booked into the detention center in Horry County, police said. His bond was set at $5,000 during a hearing on Tuesday, court records show. His next hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 14.
Online court records do not mention any attorney information. Debiase did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
