Watch CBS News

Dancing FBI Agent Not Alone: Second Officer Faces Charges For Weapon Discharge

By Brian Maass & Mark Ackerman

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - A police officer whose gun accidentally fired at a youth baseball tournament in Steamboat Springs last month is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday to face multiple criminal charges.

GUN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE 10PKG.transfer_frame_338
Markum King (credit: CBS)

Cheyenne, Wyoming police officer Markum King faces one misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment and another misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct for what occurred June 15.

He is the second law enforcement officer to face criminal charges for an accidental discharge in Colorado in June. His case came two weeks after FBI agent Chase Bishop's gun went off June 2 as he was dancing at a Denver nightclub.

FBI agent in court via City Pool link_frame_979
Chase Bishop (credit: CBS)

The round from Bishop's gun struck bystander Tom Reddington in the leg, but Bishop was not immediately arrested and was released to an FBI supervisor and allowed to fly home to Washington, D.C.

FBI DANCING GUN 5VO_frame_55
(credit: Julie)

He was not criminally charged with second degree assault until June 12, well after the incident. The handling of the case prompted criticism of the Denver Police Department which says the way the case was addressed is now under review.

The Steamboat Springs case was handled completely differently according to police body camera video, records, interviews and other documents obtained by CBS4. King said he was using a Techna Clip to fasten his pistol to his pants.

GUN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE 10PKG.transfer_frame_3571
(credit: Techna Clip)

A Techna Clip is a minimalist device used to carry a weapon in a concealed manner. King told officers as he was sitting in the bleachers watching the game, he went to pull up his pants and his gun fired.

"Nicks me a little bit. I'm cleaned up. I'm good to go. That's essentially it man," King told arriving Steamboat Springs officers. "I'm a fellow 'blue guy,'" King told arriving officers. "I work in Cheyenne. I feel like s--- violating the cardinal rule."

GUN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE 10PKG.transfer_frame_698
(credit: CBS)

The bullet grazed King, but did not cause serious injuries and nobody else was hit.

King was cooperative and told officers he had a few sips of a mixed drink about half an hour before the gun fired. A Steamboat Springs police sergeant who arrived asked King, "Would you go to work 30 or 40 minutes after you had a couple of sips of whiskey? That's the thing that is running through my mind and is worrying me about this."

GUN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE 10PKG.transfer_frame_548
(credit: CBS)

King agreed to take a portable breath test, but the results were undetectable. However within minutes of talking to him, a Steamboat Springs police told King he would be facing criminal charges and he was issued a summons.

King has not responded to several messages left by CBS4.

Chief Cory Christensen of the Steamboat Springs Police Department said a Techna Clip is "the dumbest thing you can put on a gun." He said such clips don't have anything protecting the trigger guard and his officers are forbidden from using them.

GUN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE 10PKG.transfer_frame_3203
(credit: CBS)

"Something like this is prohibited because it doesn't cover the trigger guard. It's unsafe because of exactly what happened. I prohibit that device for my officers for off-duty carry."

Christensen reviewed the video from his officers body worn cameras and said he was proud of how they handled the situation.

"It doesn't matter your profession," said Christensen, who said his officers make charging decisions based on the law, not the individual involved.

He said he thought using a Techna Clip was a bad decision, as was drinking while carrying a firearm.

GUN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE 10PKG.transfer_frame_2408
(credit: CBS)

"Our policy here is if you're going to be drinking, you don't have a gun with you".

Kevin Malatesta, a spokesman for the Cheyenne Police Department, told CBS4 King received disciplinary action for using an "unauthorized holster. We don't allow our officers to use a Techna Clip. They are dangerous," said Malatesta.

He said both the Techna Clip and the gun were King's personal weapons. Malatesta said  King has received more training and all employees of the Cheyenne Police Department have been told to refrain from using a Techna Clip. He added that his agency discourages the public from using them "because they are dangerous."

CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.

Mark Ackerman is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. Follow him on Twitter @ackermanmark

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.