Columbia police officer charged with domestic violence

LEXINGTON S.C. – Lexington County deputies arrested an officer with the Columbia Police Department after an altercation between the officer and his wife late Thursday night.

Charles Starling, 37, is charged with second-degree domestic violence after grabbing, pushing and elbowing his wife in the jaw, according to arrest warrants.

“The victim attempted to avoid an altercation by asking Mr. Starling to leave the residence and a struggle began,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Our investigators determined he was the primary aggressor and placed him under arrest.”

Starling is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center while he awaits a bond hearing. He’s expected to appear before a judge this afternoon during a 3:00 court session.