Backflipping FBI agent who accidentally shot man while dancing in Denver bar spared jail
Chase Bishop's victim says he does not hold a grudge, explaining how he has also done "stupid things at bars to impress girls".
Saturday 22 December 2018 14:44, UK
A backflipping FBI agent who accidentally shot a man while showing off his best dance moves has been spared jail after pleading guilty to third-degree assault.
According to The Denver Post, Chase Bishop struck a plea deal with prosecutors and was given two years' probation.
The 30-year-old has also been ordered to pay more than $1,600 (£1,300) in fines and court costs.
Footage of the incident on 2 June, which went viral, in the middle of a circle of people at Mile High Spirits and Distillery in Denver, before doing a backflip.
In the clip, his gun falls to the ground mid-flip and goes off as Bishop picks it up. He then places the weapon in his waistband holster and walks away with his hands up.
Speaking in court on Friday, the FBI agent said: "My whole goal in life is to care, protect and serve people.
"I never expected the result of my actions to lead to something like this."
The verdict comes after he pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault in November - a charge that carries a penalty of up to 16 years in jail.
FBI spokeswoman Kelsey Pietranton declined to say whether Bishop, who was off duty at the time of the shooting, would continue to work for the intelligence and security service.
Tom Reddington, the man who was shot, gave an emotional account in court, saying he had lost his job at an Amazon warehouse.
He also said he suffered from chronic pain and feared he may never be able to run again.
He said: "I have done months of physical therapy. I have sought counselling. However, being in public, especially seeing law enforcement with guns, makes me very uncomfortable."
The 24-year-old said he did not hold a personal grudge against Bishop and added: "I've done stupid things at bars to impress girls, too."