Minneapolis police officer charged after threatening to shoot wife's sister

John Lopez was convicted for a DWI in Scott County in May of 2016. Photo Courtesy: Scott County Jail

A Minneapolis police officer has been charged after being accused of threatening to shoot his wife's sister.

James John Lopez, 55, is charged with threats of violence. He faces up to five years behind bars and a $10,000 fine.

According to the Ramsey County criminal complaint, Monday around 8:20 p.m. Lopez's wife's sister reported the incident to St. Paul police. She had been visiting at the couple's St. Paul home.

The sister told police Lopez had been drinking and got into an argument with his wife, who then started packing items to leave with her children. At one point, he turned to the sister and while pointing his finger at her said, "I don't care where you go, St. Paul or Seattle, I'll be hiding in the bushes and I'll shoot you."

She told police she was afraid because she knows he is a police officer who owns a gun.

The father of the two women was also there at the time and saw Lopez make the threat. He told police Lopez then went downstairs and he heard sounds "like a gun being racked and loaded." They all left and went to another house, in fear of their safety.

Lopez's wife also told police about the incident saying he was "out of control and crazy" and he called her "the devil' and her sister a "witch".  She also told them he put a gun to her head about a year ago, but didn't call police because he threatened to kill her if she reported the incident.

On Thursday, Lopez's wife got an emergency order for protection against her husband.

The Minneapolis Police Department is not commenting on the incident due to the open investigation.