MMA instructor accused of pointing gun at police officer’s head

Charleston police on Friday accused a mixed martial arts instructor of pointing a pistol at an officer’s head.

Matthew Robinson, 39, of Lake Mallard Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, was charged with pointing a firearm in connection with the incident.

According to a police incident report, Robinson owns a business at 1250 Wappoo Road. That address is listed as Charleston Krav Maga, a martial arts studio in West Ashley, according to the business’ website.

Robinson is listed as a certified MMA instructor.

Shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, police watched a dark sport utility vehicle as it backed into a grassy area off of Wappoo Road and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, the report states.

That area is known for burglaries and car break-ins, according to the report, so police decided to question the SUV’s driver.

Police tapped on the vehicle’s driver’s-side window, and saw a man asleep inside.

Officers tapped on the window again, which woke the man, later identified as Robinson, according to the report.

An officer told Robinson he needed to speak with him.

Instead of rolling down the window, Robinson pulled out a handgun from beneath a blanket and pointed it at the officer’s head, the report states.

The officer ducked to the ground and called for backup, the report states.

Robinson ultimately obeyed police orders to drop the gun and raise his hands.

Once in handcuffs, Robinson denied that he had a gun, even though the firearm was sitting on the vehicle’s center console, the report states.

Police also saw a shotgun leaning against the front passenger’s seat, according to the report.

Robinson smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, the report said.

He was held at the Charleston County jail late Friday in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Reach Christina Elmore at 937-5908 or at Twitter.com/celmorePC.