FBI Agent Released From Custody After Shooting At LoDo Nightclub
DENVER (CBS4)- The FBI agent whose gun went off in a LoDo bar appeared in court Wednesday morning in connection to assault charges. He was released on $1,000 bond.
The Denver DA's Office officially charged him with second-degree assault, a felony, on Tuesday afternoon.
Cellphone video shows the off-duty agent, Chase Bishop, doing a backflip at Mile High Spirits earlier this month and his gun falls out of his waistband. He tries to pick it up and it fires.
A man was shot in the leg by that bullet and survived, but the victim's lawyer says he was seriously injured.
Chase Campbell, co-owner of Mile High Spirits, is beyond proud of the way staff handled the situation. One of them even helped apply a tourniquet to the victim's leg until paramedics arrived.
"We're really proud of our staff. They did a great job handling the situation," said Campbell. "Earl was there to help one of the patrons apply the tourniquet and get it nice and tight until the paramedics got here."
Police finished their criminal investigation on the shooting Monday, at which point investigators obtained an arrest warrant.
Bishop, 29, appeared in Denver court on Wednesday morning for his advisement.
Bishop was not arrested when the shooting happened. Instead, he was released to an FBI supervisor.
In addition to the charges filed by the Denver DA, the FBI could also suspend or fire him.
Bishop was off-duty and on vacation when the shooting happened.
While it's unclear if the agent had been drinking, Colorado law prohibits anyone from carrying a gun under the influence of alcohol.
"A lot of places have called us a night club and we're a distillery and a tasting room and we take our craft very seriously. People will dance here and have fun… it's more than a night club is what I'd say," said Campbell.
The DA's office is still waiting on the results of a blood alcohol content report. Depending on what those results, additional charges could be filed.
Bishop's attorney, David Goddard, asked the judge to allow the FBI agent to travel after he posted $1,000 bond.
The judge allowed it.
Bishop faces a felony charge of second-degree assault, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
Goddard offered a statement on Wednesday evening:
What happened on June 2, 2018 was an incredibly tragic event. Mr. Bishop and his family are praying for Mr. Reddington's full and speedy recovery. Mr. Reddington has publicly expressed a desire to speak privately with Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop has expressed that same desire since the incident. When appropriate, Mr. Bishop would welcome the opportunity to meet and speak privately with Mr. Reddington.
While members of the local and national media have repeatedly expressed interest in speaking to Mr. Bishop, out of respect for the Denver Police Department and their investigation, we will refrain from further comment until the investigation into this incident is complete.
