Latest news with #MichaelBlidiJr
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Three charged in Brooklyn Park shooting that left football player paralyzed
Three men, two of them brothers, have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a promising young football player paralyzed. Each of the men is charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and a dangerous weapons charge, court records show. According to a criminal complaint, one of the three men shot Michael Blidi Jr. on May 29 while they were inside a vehicle and Blidi was standing outside his home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It's unclear who actually fired at Blidi. The complaint states Blidi had punched one of the men during an altercation at a basketball game a few days before the shooting. One of the men made threats toward Blidi both in person and on social media, investigators said. Blidi was a star outside linebacker at a central Pennsylvania high school and had a scholarship to play football at an Iowa community college. The shooting left him paraplegic, according to the complaint, but he told WCCO he hopes to someday walk and play football again. The suspect vehicle fled after the shooting, but police tracked it to an apartment building in Brooklyn Park via surveillance video. Three men exited the vehicle and entered the apartment building, investigators said, and a fourth later left the building and moved the car. The fourth man, who lived in the apartment building, told police the three men said "something had gone down," according to the complaint, and gave him a handgun. During a search of the apartment, police found two handguns and additional ammunition. A cartridge casing found inside the vehicle matched one of the handguns. All three men charged are in custody. The fourth man is not charged. Note: The video above originally aired June 9, 2025.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Teen football star paralyzed after Brooklyn Park shooting recounts what happened
Michael Blidi Jr. was a star outside linebacker at his central Pennsylvania high school. He's from a football family. His brother, Philip Blidi, was recently signed by the Tennessee Titans. As for Blidi Jr., he had a scholarship to play football at an Iowa community college, but his football hopes were put in serious jeopardy on May 29, while living with his dad in the Twin Cities. "I just thought my son was dying," said Michael's dad, Michael Blidi Sr. Blidi Jr. was shot in the abdomen, in the early morning hours, on the steps outside his Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home. "I just heard him, 'Dad, dad, dad, dad' and I went downstairs, and he was on the floor bleeding profusely," said Blidi Sr. Blidi Sr. said his son was shot in his spine. "The doctor came to me and said, 'He's not going to walk again,' and that broke my heart," said Blidi Sr. Court documents said what started as an altercation during a basketball game at a park ended in gun violence just a few days later. According to the criminal complaint, men wearing ski masks drove by Blidi Jr.'s home. One of the men fired a shot before fleeing the scene. Brooklyn Park police arrested one man whom they believe helped the shooters. Police tell WCCO they are still investigating. "I look and I see a car that doesn't really look familiar, and I see people hop out with like ski masks on, and I just heard a loud sound and I felt myself drop," said Blidi Jr. After he was shot, Blidi Jr. said he screamed for help and couldn't feel his legs. He is still recovering in the hospital and working on physical therapy, hoping to someday walk and play football once again. With an uncertain future, Blidi Sr. said he's just thankful his son is still alive. "We'll hope that this turns out for the best," said Blidi Sr.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- CBS News
Teen football standout paralyzed after Brooklyn Park shooting recounts what happened
Michael Blidi Jr. was a star outside linebacker at his central Pennsylvania high school. He's from a football family. His brother, Philip Blidi, was recently signed by the Tennessee Titans. As for Blidi Jr., he had a scholarship to play football at an Iowa community college, but his football hopes were put in serious jeopardy on May 29, while living with his dad in the Twin Cities. "I just thought my son was dying," said Michael's dad, Michael Blidi Sr. Blidi Jr. was shot in the abdomen, in the early morning hours, on the steps outside his Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home. "I just heard him, 'Dad, dad, dad, dad' and I went downstairs, and he was on the floor bleeding profusely," said Blidi Sr. Blidi Sr. said his son was shot in his spine. "The doctor came to me and said, 'He's not going to walk again,' and that broke my heart," said Blidi Sr. Court documents said what started as an altercation during a basketball game at a park ended in gun violence just a few days later. According to the criminal complaint, men wearing ski masks drove by Blidi Jr.'s home. One of the men fired a shot before fleeing the scene. Brooklyn Park police arrested one man whom they believe helped the shooters. Police tell WCCO they are still investigating. "I look and I see a car that doesn't really look familiar, and I see people hop out with like ski masks on, and I just heard a loud sound and I felt myself drop," said Blidi Jr. After he was shot, Blidi Jr. said he screamed for help and couldn't feel his legs. He is still recovering in the hospital and working on physical therapy, hoping to someday walk and play football once again. With an uncertain future, Blidi Sr. said he's just thankful his son is still alive. "We'll hope that this turns out for the best," said Blidi Sr.
CBS News
04-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Football player paralyzed after he was shot outside Brooklyn Park home
Federal raid sparks clash between law enforcement, protesters in Minneapolis, and more headlines Federal raid sparks clash between law enforcement, protesters in Minneapolis, and more headlines Federal raid sparks clash between law enforcement, protesters in Minneapolis, and more headlines A Brooklyn Park football player's dreams were cut short last week when he was shot outside his family's home. According to a GoFundMe post, Michael Blidi Jr. is paralyzed from the knees down. He had recently received a full scholarship to play football at Iowa Central Community College, after spending his first year at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. Police say the shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. on the 6000 block of Garwood Road. He was standing outside on the sidewalk when a vehicle stopped. A suspect got out of the car, fired a single shot and hit Blidi in the abdomen. Police say the suspect fled the scene. According to CBS 21, Blidi graduated from Milton Hershey High School, a private school in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Brooklyn Park police say the shooting is under investigation.
