Charges Filed Against Off-Duty Police Sergeant Who Fired Gun at Southridge

The off-duty Milwaukee police sergeant whose gun fired inside on Nov. 2 in front of has been charged with negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, according to a criminal complaint. 

Michael Edwards told Greendale police he was was at Auntie Anne's Pretzel with his fiance when he reached into his left back pocket for his wallet and felt his gun slide down into his pants. He then reached for the gun to stop it from sliding down and that's when it discharged. The . 40 caliber gun did not have a safty and had not been secured in a holster.

Edwards had a bullet hole in the left rear of his pants just below the back pocket, according to the complaint.

The complaint also said that a witness, Amanda Studebaker, was at Auntie Anne’s Pretzel when she heard "a very loud bang and felt something hit the
back of her leg and then felt a stinging sensation." Studebaker suffered a welt on the back of her left leg just above her knee.

If convicted, Edwards faces nine months in jail and/or a $10,000 fine. He is the president of the Milwaukee Police Supervisors' Organization.