FBI AGENT IS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT
Chase Bishop could face more charges based on blood alcohol tests.
An FBI agent who shot a man in the leg after dropping his gun while doing a back handspring on a dance floor has been charged with second-degree assault and more charges could be filed based on the results of blood alcohol tests.
Chase Bishop, 29, has been charged with one count of second-degree assault in connection with the June 2 nightclub shooting, according to a news release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
Bishop turned himself in on Tuesday morning after an arrest warrant was issued by Denver police, said Maro Casparian, a spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
The results of a blood alcohol test have not been received, but District Attorney Beth McCann said in the news release said she was not going to wait.
“We are filing this charge now rather than waiting until the BAC report is received, which we understand could take another week, because sufficient evidence has been presented to file it,” McCann said. “If an additional charge needs to be filed after further evidence is received, we can file those charges then.”
Bishop made international news earlier this month when a video of the shooting became public.
Bishop was partying at Mile High Spirits, a distillery and dance club in the Ballpark neighborhood, while off duty. In the video, Bishop danced in the center of a circle of people and then performed a back handspring. During the flip, his gun fell from its holster and when Bishop picked it up, the gun fired. Bishop then placed the gun in his waistband and walked off the dance floor with his hands in the air.
The bullet hit the victim in an artery in his leg, according to previous news reports. The injury was serious, but the man will recover, said his attorney Frank Azar.
FBI officials had refused to release Bishop’s name although he had been identified by other media outlets. The FBI also has not released any information about its policy for agents carrying weapons while off duty and in alcohol establishments.
The FBI continued its silence Tuesday after the arrest became public.
“In order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment regarding this matter.
The FBI will continue to fully cooperate with the Denver Police Department and the Denver District Attorney’s Office as this matter proceeds through the judicial process,” Amy Sanders, an FBI spokeswoman in Denver said, via email.