Police Clear Vick in Shooting: Culprit Identified
Any suspicion of Michael Vick’s involvement in the shooting outside the nightclub, in which his birthday party took place, can now be laid to rest for good.
Virginia Beach Police reported on Tuesday that the Philadelphia Eagles QB is not the person responsible regarding the shooting. Police have identified the culprit and have ruled out Vick as the one responsible. Vick has been proclaiming his innocence all along and police have now confirmed that proclamation.
"There are no other suspects in this case, including Michael Vick," say Virginia Beach police.
Despite the fact that his innocence has been proven, Vick still claims he regrets hosting the party. It was Vick’s 30th birthday party, which took place on June 25th at the Guadalajara nightclub.
"There should've never been a party," stated Vick to reporters. He is still on probation regarding his dog fighting charges.
At this time, police claim they can’t charge the shooter due to the victim and witnesses being uncooperative. They still have not declared the identity of the shooter. Michael Vick’s attorney, Larry Woodward, has claimed that the victim is Quanis Phillips, who was a co-defendant of the dog fighting case three years ago, which saw the QB sentenced to two years in jail.
Adam Bernstrein, spokesman of the police, states that the Prosecutor’s decision not to press charges may be reversed if the victim begins to cooperate.
Woodward stated last week that Vick had left the nightclub well before the shooting took place. However, nightclub spokesman Allen Fabijan released a video that negated Woodward’s claim. The surveillance footage showed Vick’s car leaving just three minutes before the shooting.
Vick’s waiting car departed at 2:07 am, and three minutes later, many lingering outside the nightclub were seen screaming and ducking for cover following the gunshots.
Police had asked the nightclub manager not to release the video, but he showed it to the Associated Press anyway.
It was difficult to identify Vick in the video, but Fabijan pointed him out heading to his car at 2:04 am. A crowd gathered around him and Vick accommodated fans by signing autographs and taking pictures before a security guard eventually dispersed the crowd.
There were reports this past weekend that the Eagles were considering releasing Michael Vick due to the incident. However, the team quickly denied that speculation.
Vick claims that he reported the incident to the team and the NFL promptly.
Since his release from jail, Vick has been a model citizen and has been doing all the right things in order to rebuild his reputation. Following the incident, another debate has surfaced on whether Vick has any right to host a party at a nightclub. Vick is on a zero tolerance policy with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell since Goodell reinstated Vick back into the league last year.
It appears now that Vick should avoid any suspension or worse punishments from the league. Of course, many people will never give Vick another chance at proving himself as a person, and Vick realizes that.
Vick can now focus on football as he heads into the 2010 season as Kevin Kolb’s backup. Last season, Vick was rarely used as the third string quarterback. He threw only thirteen passes with six completions for 86 yards and a touchdown. He ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns. In the Eagles’ only playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, Vick threw only two passes, but one went for a 76 yard touchdown.
Many say that Vick has lost a step, and two years away from the game can do that, but it would be an amazing story if one day Vick gets to compete as a starter. It’d be the ultimate chance at redemption for the quarterback.
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