WASHINGTON - An off-duty police officer faced criminal charges and possible suspension after pointing his service revolver at an actor playing a zombie at a Halloween-themed haunted house, officials said Thursday.

Police sergeant Eric Janik on Monday allegedly pointed his service gun at an actor playing a chain saw-wielding zombie at the "House of Screams" near the northeastern US city of Baltimore.

Reports said Janik, who was accompanied at the haunted house by his nine-year old daughter, pointed the gun at a man playing a character from the zombie movie "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," after the overzealous actor pursued the pair throughout the house.

Authorities told AFP that Janik was charged with assault and reckless endangerment. He was suspended without pay from his police duties pending a formal hearing.