FBI agent who allegedly shot man while dancing charged with second degree assault

Officials say they are waiting further toxicology results, and that further charges are possible

An FBI agent who allegedly dropped his gun during a backflip and accidentally shot a man at a Denver night club has been charged with second-degree assault, according to authorities.

The 29-year-old agent, Chase Bishop, is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, and has been booked in the city’s downtown detention centre.

Mr Bishop may face further charges, the Denver District Attorney’s office said, pending results of a blood test to determine his blood alcohol content (BAC).

“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,” District Attorney Beth McCann said in a press release.

The charges stem from an incident in the early hours of June 1, when Mr Bishop was dancing at the club Mile High Spirits. A video of the incident allegedly shows Mr Bishop dancing with a circle of people around him, before he does a backflip.

In the course of the backflip, Mr Bishop’s gun allegedly fell out out of his waistband. While attempting to pick up the gun, the gun is seen in the video misfiring. One man was shot in the leg, and survived, but his lawyer has told local media that he suffered serious wounds.

Mr Bishop then allegedly put the gun into his waistband, and walks out of the camera frame in the video.

Following the incident, Mr Bishop was not immediately arrested, and was instead released to an FBI supervisor.

He appeared in court Tuesday on the second-degree assault charges, and the Denver DA says that he turned himself in voluntarily.

The FBI, citing an ongoing investigation, could not confirm to The Independent whether Mr Bishop has received any disciplinary action following the alleged shooting incident.

“In order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment regarding this matter,” an FBI spokesperson said in an email. “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.”

It is not clear whether Mr Bishop was drinking at the time of the alleged incident, but Colorado law prohibits individuals from carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.