ABC News(DENVER) — The back-flipping FBI agent who accidentally shot a Colorado nightclub patron has been ordered to stay away from the man after being charged with second-degree assault.
Chase Bishop, 29, Wednesday made his first appearance in a Denver courtroom, where a judge issued a standard protection order stating that he must have zero contact and stay at least 100 yards away from Tom Reddington, 24, who was shot in the leg during the incident.
Bishop was dancing at a Denver nightclub June 2 when his service weapon fell out of his waistband holster as he attempted to do a back handspring, authorities said. When the off-duty agent went to pick up the gun, it went off, hitting Reddington in the lower leg, authorities said. Reddington was taken to the hospital in good condition, police said.
Video taken of the incident shows Bishop’s dancing as onlookers cheered him on. The gun can be seen going off after it fell out of the holster and he went to retrieve it.
He has been charged with one count of second-degree assault, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said Tuesday. He turned himself in after the charge was filed, but additional charges could be pending after the results of his blood-alcohol content analysis are received, according to the district attorney’s office.
In court on Wednesday, the judge gave Bishop permission to travel back to Washington, D.C., where he lives. He was released on $1,000 bond Tuesday, jail records show.
Bishop did not enter a plea and declined to answer any questions as he left the courthouse.
Bishop’s attorney, David Goddard, told ABC News the ordeal has been “devastating” to both his client and Reddington. Goddard declined to comment on the case itself “until the Denver Police Department has an opportunity to complete their investigation.” But, he said his client would welcome the opportunity to meet with Reddington.
“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,” Bishop said. “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.
Reddington told ABC News last week that he thought someone was setting off a firecracker before realizing he had been shot.
“It’s bizarre. It’s beyond bizarre,” Reddington said, describing the incident. “It’s beyond comprehension I think right now for me, just with all the factors involved.”
The FBI declined to comment Tuesday on the filing of the formal assault charge against Bishop. An FBI official previously told ABC News Bishop would “be held accountable.”
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