A Kirkland firefighter accused of domestic violence was found not guilty by a jury Dec. 30 at the King County Courthouse.

Patrick McManus had been charged with fourth degree assault due to an alleged altercation with his long-time girlfriend in February of 2014 at his home in Ravensdale, Wash. The alleged altercation began when his girlfriend confronted him over something, and she claimed McManus eventually became violent, grabbing her by her neck. She also told officers he dumped a can of Pepsi on her head, yet when officers searched the bedroom upstairs there was no sign of soda being spilled.

The girlfriend later left the house and reported it to the police. When deputies arrived at the home McManus had left as well, but his daughter was still there. When questioned, his daughter allegedly told the deputy that it hadn’t been a “bad fight,” albeit she admitted she hadn’t seen what occurred. When his daughter attempted to call McManus to get him to come home, he didn’t respond.

McManus’ daughter allegedly also told the deputy that her father had left to look for his girlfriend and told her to turn the lights off in the house because the police might show up.

When the Kirkland Fire Department learned of the charges filed against McManus, officials placed him on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation, according to Kirkland Fire Department Chief Kevin Nalder.