SALISBURY, N.C. — An off-duty Salisbury Police Officer turned himself in Sunday morning following charges by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on one count of breaking and entering, one count of simple assault, one count of assault on a female, and one count of interfering with calling 911, stemming from an incident late Saturday, March 13.
The officer, identified as Malik Byrd of Huntersville, has been employed with the SPD since 2018 and is assigned to Patrol Team Baker.
According to the Rowan County Sheriff's Office (RCSO), deputies responded to the possible breaking and entering and assault around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
The victim told deputies that Byrd showed up to her door near 11:30 p.m. with his cousin, and appeared to have been drinking. The victim said she tried to get Byrd to leave, and threatened to call the police. At that point, the victim said Byrd took her phone to prevent her from calling 911.
According to RCSO, the victim alleges that Byrd forced her out of the doorway and that he and his cousin then went to the bedroom and confronted a man that was in there. The victim told law enforcement that Byrd assaulted the pan, punching and striking him in the face, shoulders, and back -- and that Byrd's cousin assisted in the assault. Byrd is also accused of taking the man's phone to prevent the man from calling for help.
Byrd and his cousin allegedly left in a blue Nissan Versa. Both victims refused to be transported for medical treatment. Warrants were issued on Byrd for assault on a female, simple assault, breaking and entering with the intent to terror/injure, and interfering with emergency communication. Warrants were issued for his cousin for simple assault and breaking and entering with intent to terrorize/injure.
On Sunday, Byrd turned himself in around 10 a.m. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under no bond. His first court hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 15.
His cousin has not yet been arrested.
Byrd has been placed on administrative leave with pay from his duties pending a further inquiry by the SPD Professional Standards Unit, Salisbury Police confirmed Sunday.
"The Salisbury Police Department, made up of 80+ sworn and civilian employees, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), and most recently was noted for its successful collaboration with the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership in addressing crime. [The officer's] recent arrest and a previous incident involving another officer are two isolated incidents which in no way reflects the character of the men and women of the Salisbury Police Department."
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