FBI agent accused of accidental shooting at nightclub gets gun back

DENVER -- (KDVR) -- The off-duty FBI agent accused of accidentally shooting a patron in a Denver bar last month made his second court appearance on Tuesday morning.

Chase Bishop waived his right to a preliminary hearing and a judge granted an exception to a protection order so he could carry his service weapon.

Bishop's lawyer, David Goddard, said prosecutors had offered Bishop a plea deal but didn't disclose details.

Goddard said the FBI strongly encourages its agents to carry guns when they're not working. Prosecutors didn't object so Judge Fran Simonet said Bishop could be armed while on- and off-duty.

Denver District Attorney's Office spokesman Ken Lane said toxicology tests on Bishop "do not support further charges." Bishop is due back in court on Aug. 21.

Bishop was partying at Mile High Spirits Distillery at 2201 Lawrence St. on the morning of June 2.

Cellphone video shows the 29-year-old agent doing a backflip, the gun flying out of its holster. When Bishop went to pick it up, the gun discharged, hitting a man in the leg.

The man, identified as Tom Reddington, is recovering. Bishop was released to an FBI supervisor that night.