UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County trooper is facing assault charges, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Bryan Kirkpatrick is accused of assaulting a woman, which is a misdemeanor charge.
On Sunday, Kirkpatrick was placed on administrative duty by the Highway Patrol pending an internal investigation and a criminal investigation by the Union County Sheriff’s Department, according to a news release.
Kirkpatrick, a 14-year veteran, is assigned to the Troop H District 3 Highway Patrol office in Monroe.
Channel 9 went through documents from Kirkpatrick and his girlfriend -- both describing a violent encounter at the trooper's house on Sunday.
Only the girlfriend filed charges.
She said that she tried to end their relationship -- and Kirkpatrick trapped her in the bathroom, choked her, pulled her hair and threw her to the ground.
Kirkpatrick told the judge his girlfriend attacked him - hitting him the face, grabbing his groin and clawing his arms.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: