Photo: Ramsey County
Top Chef alum and Fast Foodies star Justin Sutherland is accused of assaulting and threatening to shoot his girlfriend during an alleged incident that took place last week, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Page Six.
Sutherland, 39, was charged with one felony count of threats of violence in connection to the incident just after 8:00 p.m. last Friday (June 28). The victim reportedly told police that Sutherland pointed a gun at her, struck her in the chest with it and shouted, "Don't come back here or I am going to shoot you."
The alleged incident took place at a St. Paul, Minnesota, apartment. Police received a report about a male suspect holding a gun in his hand and a female victim who "appeared to be in distress" from a bystander.
A second caller, who claimed to be the victim's sister and said she was on a video call with her at the time, said the victim told her that her boyfriend was trying to kill her before the suspect took the phone away and threw it to the ground. Responding officers located Sutherland walking out of the rear of the building where the alleged incident took place.
An officer demanded Sutherland turn away from him and put his hands on his head, to which the suspect allegedly responded, "I called 911 and you trying to f*****g arrest me?" Sutherland continued to yell at the officer, but followed directions as he was being detained.
The victim, whose name was kept anonymous due to the alleged domestic violence allegations, also claimed that Sutherland put his hands around her neck and squeezed her for several seconds, saying, "I could kill you," while strangling her. Sutherland reportedly denied making threats against his girlfriend, according to the complaint.
John Daly, an attorney representing the celebrity chef, denied the allegations against his client, claiming they were "riddled with falsehoods."
“Mr. Sutherland vehemently denies all the allegations in the complaint,” Daly said in a statement to PEOPLE. “He never threatened to shoot anyone. He did not physically assault his girlfriend. He looks forward to the truth coming out as the court process unfolds.”