Special Agent Chase Bishop, 29, was visiting Denver from D.C. for a training exercise. (Photo: Denver Police)
The off-duty FBI agent who lost control of his gun earlier this month while breakdancing and backflipping at a bar in Colorado is being charged, authorities announced Tuesday.
Agent Chase Bishop, 29, is is facing one count of assault in the second degree, a class 4 felony that carries with it a fine of up to $500,000 and a potential sentence of six years behind bars.
Video of the incident shows Bishop’s gun hitting the dance floor at the Mile High Spirits Distillery and Tasting bar in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, June 2, 2018.
While retrieving the firearm, the agent discharges it sending the projectile into the leg of 24-year-old Tom Reddington.
WATCH: Dancing FBI Agent Drops Gun, Shoots Bar Patron
Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in a press release that more charges may follow pending the results of a blood alcohol content (BAC) analysis.
“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,” said McCann.
“If an additional charge needs to be filed after further evidence is received, we can file those charges then,” she added.
Bishop turned himself over to Denver Police on Tuesday, June 12th. He was charged the same day.
Baby adult who had the start of a great career that I’m sure just crapped it away by being a dumb Ass. Civil law suit that will set up the one who was shot for life, Him in the unemployment line and the name of his organization dragged farther into the mud.. Worse being walking by his senior co-workers to clear out his desk.
When I was a LEO we carried Israeli-style: empty chamber for autos. Never shot anyone I didn’t mean to.
I used to wear a retention holster… Because I used to tussle a bit off duty…(Mostly at Wal-mart with shoplifters) Every situation is not a shoot situation… He chose the wrong holster. who is teaching these people to carry????
Wonder what the penalties would be for just an average Joe doing the same thing? Did the firearm fall out of the holster? Did the whole rig come off his belt or was it on his ankle? If it was an auto and it came out of the holster did the safety get knocked to ‘fire’? Was he drunk enough he pulled the trigger? If it was a revolver, pretty sure it didn’t cock itself, so did he put enough pressure on the trigger to double action it? Was there a sign that said “No Break Dancing While Armed? Didn’t break dancing go the route of disco a bunch of years ago. How drunk to you have to be to break dance in a bar? Just a few questions I would like to ask.
Replying to my own post. Didn’t look at the video, just read the story. Obvious it was an auto in his belt, and maybe the safety did get set to fire in the drop, but a finger on the trigger pick up is a no no. I would not call that break dancing either, looks like a drunk trying to walk on those moving walkways at the airport.
It was probably a Glock (no thumb safety) and a non-retention holster. The FBI’s vaunted Quantico training standards must have really been dumbed down for his class. He obviously didn’t practice safe gun handling or trigger finger discipline. He also was behaving recklessly even if he was sober and had used a retention holster. A flip move like that would easily reveal his holstered weapon to the other patrons.
Consuming alcohol while possessing a gun, can be charged under Colorado law as the DA said. When in possession, the BAC threshold is lowered to 0.02 – same as a minor in possession (it’s nonzero since some meds contain alcohol). As a fed LEO, he doesn’t need a state carry permit but if he has one it will probably be revoked. You can see the feds didn’t invoke immunity for him since he clearly wasn’t on duty. He’s cooked.
We know from recent FBI activities and Misconduct issues in the news that the standards of this once elite investigative branch of our government have certainly been Dumbed Down. Not surprising since the Dumbing Down of America has been taking place in our education system for over 30 years. So it is no wonder the FBI has relaxed standards and are graduating Morons from Quantico. It is no different than whay we are seeing from our military or police departments. The education system is Indoctrinating rather than Educating. This is creating issues for these organizations requiring them to loosen standards in order to fill positions. The result is and FBI agent that shoots someone in the leg like this or a police.officer.that brutally beats an arrest subject. Of course this is simply a reflection of society in general. There are no longer standards anywhere. Morality is gone and we are overrun with Racism that began with a person in the white house who promoted not only racism but he also publicly supported homosexuality as acceptable and with it he promoted the Idea that gays could call themselves marrued, but that is another issue on its own. Bottom line there are no standards anywhere….
Typical cop with a superiority complex,add alcohol and then he/she becomes a real ass!This idiotic action is and should be a career ender.Never met any kind of law enforcement who could hold their liquor,he might be able to work shop lifting detail at Walmart but never should be allowed to carry a firearm again!
One has to remember the agenda of the left in the USA they have successfully infiltrated all top level tiers of the U.S. Government and are feverishly working to take away out 1ST & 2ND Amendment rights. The left routinely stages events to achieve their end game . The DEA and FBI’s “Fast & Furious” illegal gun running to Mexico , The IRS denial of 503(c) Conservative orgs. to help Obama to victory in 2012 The staged Charlottesville right wing protest, The police standing back at ANTIFA violence against patriots. The EPA’s never ending strangulation of business that goes against the far left’s agenda. This clown was probably a Reality Winner type that are being indoctrinated en mass into all Government agencies . Lord help our country
All this talk about”one little mistake destroying his career and life, but if it were any of us non police types, it would be an immediate breathalyzer test at the scene, then jail right afterwards, and a destroyed life!
Yep.but the “blue gang” and all the hang arounds must buy some sick unspoken gangster bylaws come to the defense of the blue gangster in need…. no matter why. murder, rape, child shit, what ever the “cop” did the whole gang is gonna come to help. With pictures of “cops” helping kitty’s out of trees and such.. that how it works…. don’t be sheep.
Thankfully the FBI switched to 9mm. Had he did this with an effective round it could have been bad.
When I was a younger man in my police academy days, the instructors had a name for the FBI….First Bunch of Idiots.
pot and kettle buddy…
Here is SD, Land of The Free, but way to right, we are still a little Wild West, yet it has been Illegal to Carry in a Bar for as long as I can remember, and at 66 I have been into guns since I was 12. This FBI guy may be legal in a Bar, but not once he starts drinking. He Goofed big time, and he did not show much concern right after the fact, but that is human, well sort of. Anyway, I wonder if the FBI will take a long look at the Old School guns with a Safety. Of The Groans. Now 90% of handguns with a safety can be put on safe, put safely into your holster, and then take the safety off, but don’t do that with any true SA like the 1911, nope. Now that trick would have ended in the same results as it appears he had say a Glock with the so called Safe Trigger, and he grabbed his gun improperly off the floor. That, and of course Holster Retention is oh so 20th Century. Thus many things could have prevented his error. Or, these things might protect any error that you may have.
In Colorado, you can be armed in a bar if you have a carry permit however you can’t drink or have a BAC over 0.02. It’s better than a blanket prohibition since some establishments such as Buffalo Wild Wings and similar sports bars may derive more than 50% of their revenue from alcohol but still provide a family atmosphere. I don’t drink but I do carry. There’s no reason to prohibit people like me from catching the big game with friends or family at such establishments.
For the “one stupid act, and you want make him pay the rest of his life” crowd-Do you realize this was not a 12 year old? Do you realize he was a trained, razor edged sword of America’s Federal law enforcement group? The elite of the elite? Do you have any idea what an idiot it would take to do what this idiot did? God he (and the patrons around him) are lucky he didn’t kill someone.
I am one of those law abiding gun owners and 2nd amendment supporters, but this dumbass should never be allowed within 100 yards of a firearm ever again.
More proof that alcohol and guns don’t mix. This man has ruined his career and possibly his future because he brought his handgun into a drinking establishment. He is lucky no one was killed because of his stupidity. If he is an example of the FBI’s “best and brightest,” then the agency really does need a top-down purge and reorganization.
Bringing a gun into a drinking establishment should not be illegal. It is NOT illegal in Colorado where this occurred. Having a BAC over 0.02 or consuming ANY alcoholic beverage IS illegal when packing. People like me that do not drink and do carry lawfully can join our unarmed friends and family members who do partake responsibly and catch the game or play some pool. Nothing wrong with that.
Proof of FBI talent and it is all bad. Old J. Edger would be proud of his people. All brash, killers of ranchers, and treasonous bastards.
And you people STILL think anything will happen to this guy? Cops are walking away from shooting handcuffed civilians sitting in the back of the patrol car!
Wake up. Dog & Pony Show. Save the tax-payers their dollars , give the guy a paid-vacation and a raise, and call it a day in the USSA.
The FBI,enough said.
Why waste tax-payer money on this Dog & Pony Show? Nothing will come of it save for maybe a paid vacation.
Denver will have a hay day with this guy. This is a conundrum even for LEOs to carry a firearm in a city/state that fights the 2A. To protect yourself, carry. Recognize that if you discharge or even display a firearm in these places, be prepared to suffer the consequences. This incident would be an issue even in a 2A supporting location. No cure fro stupid.
^^ “No cure fro stupid.” Priceless, ;-D
I live in one of those 2A friendly states and the issue comes down to carrying/discharging while impaired; like a DUI. I have even had a drink in bar on numerous occasions, but only ONE drink and always with food included. Like driving, you have to prove that you were not impaired, and it takes moral discipline not accept that second drink or even to remember which holster you were wearing that day.
In this case, this moron forgot to don his John Travolta holster, ……….. and these clowns are supposed to know better.
First of all feds do not have police power, it is reserved to the states, so why is this agent from an anti gun federal agency armed off duty.
I wonder how many hours had passed before the BAC vile was drawn?
Enough to get him below 0.02 BAC?
Drinking, dancing, gun carried in a non-retention holster. What could possibly go wrong. Picking up a firearm with your finger on the trigger? Priceless. Again, it’s not the gun but the operator.
What I do not understand is why he walked off the dance floor and held up his hands like nothing happened and he is not responsible. What’s up with that? Let’s comment on that behavior.
I was seriously under the impression that the FBI only hired adults. Silly me.
Young Hot Shot who was full of pride with a great career and a great future but with ZERO walking around sense. If he doesn’t lose his job the harassment he will get from his co-workers will make him want to quit. Those people will be brutal. I feel bad for the dumb kid.. 🙁
Takes weeks for dwi test to come back? Why when a local cop pulls you over his dei test comes back in minutes??
It was a blood test, shouldn’t take that long but they have been known to delay results ahem.
People in law enforcement are not dumb enough to take a breathalyzer test, they want a blood test and usually are afforded enough time before blood is drawn to lower the results.
If you think they are treated the same as you in a criminal investigation, you are mistaken.
This is a well trained F.B.I. agent and was probably taught to pick up any striker fired gun by the TRIGGER.
One stupid act, folks. Make sure he pays the rest of his (destroyed) life…
If he is a Corrupt HildaBeast DimmoKKKrap voting FBI Agent and a Treasonous Anti-President Trump Attempted COUP Co-conspirator then I say BAILIFF, WACK HIS PEEPEE!!!
Make him BEG President Trump to shorten his Jail Time and start a Go Fund Me to pay his Victim!!!
Wow. This is disturbing. You have proposed that ones political affiliation should determine their punishment. That is what they do in dictatorships and authoritarian countries. Modern day conservative governments like those in Turkey, Hungary, Austria have become more and more authoritarian and now many people in the United States seem to be gravitating towards authoritarian practices. This will not end well.
The restitution should be paid by Glock releasing pistols without a safety lock.
Great video of how to end your career in 15 seconds….
Alcohol, guns and dumb assery. What possibly could go wrong. If this is who they allowed in the FBI academy then the FBI should be scrapped. J Edgar is probably turning over in his grave
RE: “J Edgar is probably turning over in his grave”……….or in his tutu.
This fellow has suffered and will suffer plenty without felony charges. It is not unknown for politically sensitive and ambitious District Attorneys to over prosecute because of the publicity it generates.
“LEO’s are held to a higher standard than the rest of us and should be”
No, they should not be held to different standards.
“No, they should not be held to different standards.”
Actually they are given all the power that comes with their badge, and a gun, and a bunch of leeway to do things that we would be arrested for. SO yes they should be held to a different higher standard. It’s real simple, with extra power comes extra responsibility. You want a job like that you take the good with the bad. You do exactly what he did and find out what happens to you. They will not worry about ruining your life I can promise you, unless you’re a cop too.
Like most people, I don’t like getting a ticket or being talked down to by a rude or arrogant cop. LEO’s are held to a higher standard than the rest of us and should be, but if I call 911 I still want someone to show up. I used to see occasionally a bumper sticker that said “shit happens” I would change it to read, “shit happens, don’t let it happen again” I think the guy should pay restitution, apologize, geta gun with a safety or a revolver, retrain, get professional dance instruction, get on with his career.
Actually, his dancing is pretty good! It’s his negligence with picking up a firearm that requires training. As for the weapon, he’s got to carry the department issue one, which won’t be a revolver. Plus, there will definitely be a civil suit here too, so he’ll have plenty of opportunity to pay restitution
Get on with his career? What career? He flushed that down the toilet when he fired his weapon. It’s quite sad, actually.