Will he end up abusing me?

Hi. So there is this guy who's really into me, and i'm thinking i might be into him as well, but he has a reputation of being abusive. I heard it from a bartender and one of his ex girl friends, he also recently told me that his dad was a monster and used to beat up his mom and other women, and him and his brother. I know the signs of an abusive male and can't seem to see any right now. He's very sweet and does all soarts of nice things for me. Is it possible that he has changed? Or that he wont abuse me if we do get into a relationship? Is he capable of liking me for who i am? Or is he just targeting me as an "easy victim"