DENVER — The man shot by a dancing FBI agent in Denver over the weekend talked to exclusively to ABC News about the incident, which he called "beyond bizarre."
Tom Reddington, 24, was shot in the leg at Mile High Spirits and Distillery early Saturday morning when a gun belonging to FBI agent Chase Bishop, 29, fell from his waistband and fired.
Bishop, a Washington D.C.-based FBI agent visiting Denver for training, was dancing and did a backflip when the gun fell out, according to a viral video obtained by Denver7. The gun went off as Bishop picked it back up.
Reddington’s attorney, Frank Azar, said the gunshot hit a main artery and Reddington could have bled to death. Witnesses said a belt was used as a tourniquet around Reddington’s leg before paramedics arrived at the bar.
Reddington, who moved to Denver back in January, told ABC News that he initially did not realize he had been shot. He thought someone had set off firecrackers in the crowd.
“We sat down at one of these picnic tables… I heard a loud bang, and I thought, ‘Oh, some idiot set off a firecracker.’ I could see some drunk college kid being funny and doing that," Reddington said.
But then, he instinctively looked at his leg. It was at that point, he knew his night was going to be much different.
"I don’t know why, but then I looked down at my leg… and see some brown residue. So, I’m still thinking it’s a firework. And then as I look at my leg, and I’m inspecting the brown residue, all of a sudden — from the knee down — it became completely red. That’s when it clicked in my head, ‘Oh, I’ve been shot,’” he said.
He said he doesn't blame Bishob for the incident.
"I wasn’t targeted. Obviously, there was no pointing, no aiming," Reddington said. "I don’t blame the guy. I’m not vindictive at all. I don’t want to ruin his life. At this point, there’s nothing we can do to fix it. So, let’s just move on and deal with it as best we can."
Reddington met with a vascular surgeon on Tuesday, according to Azar.
Some experts say after reviewing the videos several times, the case rises to the level of felony assault. Denver police say they are waiting on laboratory tests to determine whether Bishop will face charges.
Azar indicated to ABC News they are reviewing all options in terms of possible lawsuits against the FBI. His client has no interest in going after the bar.
Russell Haythorn contributed to this report
