Michael Vick In Confrontation Before Shooting: Prosecutor

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The city's lead prosecutor said Wednesday night that Michael Vick was involved in a confrontation before a shooting following his birthday bash.

Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey L. Bryant told The Associated Press Wednesday night in a telephone interview that Vick was not involved in the shooting and that he left the nightclub "in the 3 to 5 minute range" before it occurred.

Bryant would not go into detail about the confrontation, but said there was no evidence the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback was involved in "anything that would amount to aggressive or assaultive conduct."

"He's an athlete and an entertainer, but he's also a human being, and things that would tick you and I off would tick him off," Bryant said. "But he extricated himself from those things and left with the help and encouragement of some of his friends and supporters."

Police have said Vick was not the shooter. Bryant said the investigation also shows that Vick "was not aware of whether or not anyone was going to be shot, was threatened to be shot or anything to do with any of that business."

Neither Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, or his agent, Joel Segal, returned phone messages Wednesday night.

Bryant, who has declined to press charges at this time against anyone in the shooting, said the victim and witnesses have not cooperated. He would not confirm a police statement made Tuesday that they know who the shooter is, but did say that the case remains open.

The victim has not be identified by police, but Woodward, said it was Quanis Phillips – a co-defendant in the federal dogfighting case that landed Vick in federal prison. Phillips, who Woodward said was not invited to the party and did not interact with Vick while there, was treated at a hospital and released the following day.

The shooting occurred a block away from the nightclub where Vick was celebrating his 30th birthday.

Vick was interviewed by detectives in the case a few days later.

"He has sat down with Virginia Beach detectives and answered all their questions and, in our view, has been cooperative ... and I should say cooperative and truthful," Bryant said.

Comments

[cliffhammond]

04:02 PM on 07/13/2010

The circumstances of this incident do not look good. Co-defendant, not invited, shows up anyway, no one is giving up any testimony to the police except Vick who, of course, is totally innocent and left his own birthday party before anything went down that he didn't know was coming. The problem with not trusting the po-po is understandable but these incidents have a tendency to resolve themselves on the street to no one's satisfaction.

[EvitaLuisa]

06:35 PM on 07/11/2010

Folks, Supporters of Michael, keep the good thoughts & prayers coming. He needs all the support he can get and I saw -- what I hope is just a fluff piece that keeps the line on this story dripping -- something about Michael's status as, once more in question, as he is not allowed to leave PA right now...so claims "an associate."

Here's the story:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/07/associate-probation-officials-bar-michael-vick-from-leaving-pennsylvania/1

God Bless!

[swanie]

12:16 PM on 07/10/2010

THE PLOT THICKENS . . . .

More to come.

./

[cliffhammond]

04:04 PM on 07/13/2010

Wonder what Paul the Octopus has to say.

[Opus Loki]

06:16 PM on 07/09/2010

Some of you need to wake up. D-Nabb was on his way out as soon as Vick got there. They wanted to see what he had left in those legs and they liked what they saw. No matter what you cry about he isn't going to lose his place in the NFL because you love dogs and want him to fail.
Knock,knock.
Who's there?
Reality! I'm comin' in!

[LCDTV]

06:22 PM on 07/10/2010

Interesting, I do not think Vick was ever going to be the starter for the Eagles. it was always Kevin Kolb's job to lose. I do no think Vick looked particularly good when he did play. I do believe Vick can steal the starting job Kolb (if it is his job).

[Opus Loki]

07:08 PM on 07/10/2010

I don't think he was brought there to start either. I think he was brought there to back up Kolb if the need arose and take over if Kolb failed to lead the team but you couldn't ask D-Nabb to sit behind Kolb. Vick was brought in as insurance. Vick still had his legs and that's what made him what he is as a QB. He couldn't look real good because he didn't take that many snaps and D-Nabb or Kolb would NEVER be a threat in running the Wild-Cat".

[Greg Petty]

07:11 PM on 07/11/2010

He is going to be the backup,,He will help them,but he is not going to run like he did with the Falcons, It is not about dogs it is about playing football, He will either make it or break it on his own by his football skills ,that is the reality

[justice58]

10:15 PM on 07/08/2010

If Michael Vick wasn't the shooter, no evidence that he was involved, why is this news?

[GatorAtLarge]

10:56 PM on 07/08/2010

ESPN

[Greg Petty]

10:36 PM on 07/10/2010

fluff piece,but Vick better be careful ,he one incident from being banned from the NFL, and back in the big house,I wish him the very best,but I am telling you he is going to get popped again.

[nomobull]

03:26 AM on 07/09/2010

butt covering

[PaleFace215]

05:22 PM on 07/08/2010

Just like OJ, this violent criminal will continue his ways and be thrown in a a cage eventually. I'm sure of it. A scorpion doesn't change it's nature. Neither will this mutant.

[mbroo]

06:17 PM on 07/08/2010

Hear we go with the OJ comparison...

[Opus Loki]

07:07 PM on 07/08/2010

Oh I get it. He can't go outside EVER and mix in with society. Funny I haven't seen your negative posts about Mel Gibson beating his girl in the face while she was holding their baby. Why would that be?

[callinguonit]

10:11 PM on 07/08/2010

Sorry, not that I'm not a dog lover, But the murder of two people should not be thrown out like that.

[LORNADOONS]

03:41 PM on 07/08/2010

Just a wild guess, but I suspect it is because most sane & compassionate human beings are not all that enamered by twisted / sadistic killers of innocent animals.......

.....say especially like man's best friend, our dogs!

[EvitaLuisa]

04:56 PM on 07/08/2010

"enamered by"!!! -- yeah!

Lornaloooons, you are multiple shades of Kahrayyyzeee, and your writin' don't make the case for you at all.

Lots of luck with that h8 speech.

[jasev01]

02:59 PM on 07/08/2010

exactly, he left the situation. So why even bring Vick's name up and drag it throw the mud.

[cybolt]

03:37 PM on 07/08/2010

Kinda hard not to bring it up, given that this whole party was about him and he was there when someone he was involved with was shot.

I dont think his name was dragged through the mud. I think the media actually showed remarkablly uncharacteristic restraint in this one.

[DeloresT]

04:28 PM on 07/08/2010

I agree, but it could be because that other quarterback (he who must not be named) has twice been accused of sexual abuse and the media was NOT as harsh with him.

[Darkgrl1019]

08:59 AM on 07/09/2010

the club is a public place. people can come and go freely. sounds like this "victim" was attempting to get back at Vick and it just didn't go down as planned. I hope this story dies here. I don't condone killing or abusing animals but at some point you people need to get a grip. This MAN is trying to pull it together.

[Leto II]

06:42 PM on 07/08/2010

Um, the guy shot was coicidentally the guy who ratted on Vick to the Feds. If there's one person who has a motive to hurt him, it's Vick. Snitches get stitches right?

[Opus Loki]

07:13 PM on 07/08/2010

That's funny since they haven't publicly ID the guy yet since they don't have anyone to charge. I read there was a co-defendant at the party but enlighten me on where I can read that information for myself.

[Puller58]

01:41 PM on 07/08/2010

Odd that the DA would make this sort of public statement.

[Greg Petty]

03:50 PM on 07/08/2010

VICK= STUPIDITY

[rhymney]

06:46 PM on 07/08/2010

I'm glad he did. If Vick did nothing wrong, let him and the press move on.

[Opus Loki]

07:14 PM on 07/08/2010

Co-signed. The Common Wealth Attorney seemed very supportive toward Vick in the story.

[havbrush]

01:16 PM on 07/08/2010

Who at Huff Post is not posting my comments? It happens over and over and my comments are not abusive nor filled with foul language. To paraphrase my last unposted comment, I simply stated that Vick can't be expected to stay in his house 24/7 and can't control every aspect of every situation he finds himself in when he steps out of his house. The party was thrown for him by a family member, the victim was not invited and Vick didn't interact with him. The shooting happened after Vick had left and it didn't even happen at the party but a block away. Vick did wrong with the dogs but served his time and paid big time. Let the man have some kind of life. He can't be blamed for something he wasn't involved in.

[tjconkster]

02:02 PM on 07/08/2010

The mods have really tightened up..or so it seems...I've had a number of mundane comments scrubbed...what changed since yesterday?

[EvitaLuisa]

04:54 PM on 07/08/2010

I hear ya, I hear ya. But keep on trying! YOUR kind of posts are precisely the kind that need to get through! HavBrush -- don't let 'em beat us back down. There's 'nuff MV h8ers out there and THAT is what has to go away.

[Greg Petty]

05:59 PM on 07/08/2010

Haters,why would anyone that has been given a 2nd chance put himself in that position,no hate involved lack of gray matter inside of his head,EINSTEIN

[havbrush]

01:06 PM on 07/08/2010

From what I understand, the party was thrown for Vick by a family member. The guy that was shot was not invited and Vick did not interact with him at the party. The shooting didn't even happen at the party but a block away after Vick was gone. Vick can't be expected to stay cooped up in his house 24/7, and going to a birthday party in his honor is well within the range of normal behavior. He can't control every aspect of every situation he finds himself in when he steps out of his house. He didn't invite the victim. Give Vick a break. He did wrong with the dogs but paid for it big time and also served his time. Can the man now have some kind of life? He shouldn't be blamed for something he wasn't involved in.

[mbroo]

01:38 PM on 07/08/2010

That is what I've gathered from the story thus far as well.

[Aldyth]

03:50 PM on 07/08/2010

Actually, he didn't spend one day in jail for torturing and murdering dogs. He served time for conspiracy in running the dog fighting ring.

Short of the man taking holy orders and living a saintly life from now on, I have no use for him. Nor would I if he was a wife beater, granny basher, or tipping over people in wheelchairs.

[DeloresT]

04:30 PM on 07/08/2010

I suspect that You have no use for a lot of athletes then.....Ben Rothisburger comes to mind.

[Sobeton]

02:29 PM on 07/09/2010

"I have no use for him."so then move on and find another story to comment on. I suspect you just can't help yourself. LOL

[Altoids]

01:05 PM on 07/08/2010

This is probably one of the worst mismatches between headline and story that I've seen on HP in a while.

[rhymney]

06:50 PM on 07/08/2010

They are bad, as you say, this is awful.

[DianeTreehugger]

12:39 PM on 07/08/2010

"He's an athlete and an entertainer, but he's also a human being, and things that would tick you and I off would tick him off," Bryant said.

Um, like one of his tormented dogs losing a fight? He responded well to that irritation, right?

[1jadednewyorker]

01:54 PM on 07/08/2010

not saying what he did was right..but an animal is not equal to a human being.

[iRock]

02:53 PM on 07/08/2010

certainly is not.

but some people seem to think they are. and they will argue you down.

[plzchuteme]

03:10 PM on 07/08/2010

You are right, an animal is not the equal of a human and so it stands to reason that humans should be above this kind of behavior. There is always another way, and a better way to handle things. All you have to do is think and reason. After all isn't that what distinguishes human from animals? You couldn't tell from the actions of Mr. Vick or his posse.

[Leto II]

12:17 PM on 07/08/2010

Where are all the Vick defenders and their comments screaming 'racism'?

[DeloresT]

04:34 PM on 07/08/2010

I am a Vick fan and since I didn't scream racism when Big Ben Rathisburger was accused (twice) of rape, I won't say it now.

[nelore]

05:55 PM on 07/08/2010

there is no need to scream racism when dealing with Vick. The guy is...blaack. But Rottenburger is a white guy with rings and it is accused of rape, but no one seems to pay much attention to him.

[EqualMeansEqual]

10:16 PM on 07/08/2010

Lying. Stories about ben have been in the media for months. The stories concerning the accusation was all over this site and others. YOu either ignorant of reality, or lying through your teeth.

Don't go to Vegas, you not good at playing cards.

[MemphisBuffalo]

10:45 AM on 07/08/2010

Good job Eagles. Trade the classy McNabb so the thug can be the team leader.

[whirledgonecrazy]

12:48 PM on 07/08/2010

That's right Holmes.....

[260Parkway]

12:54 PM on 07/08/2010

What is it with caucasians and the word "thug"? Do you even know what that word means? Or is it just that it sounds good to you to use when you are referring to a Black person?

Thug - A cruel or vicious ruffian, robber, or murderer; a cutthroat, a hoodlum
Ruffian - A tough, lawless person, roughneck, bully
Hoodlum - A thug or a gangster

Tell me which one Mike Vick represents and why you would use that term to refer to him?

[1jadednewyorker]

01:56 PM on 07/08/2010

...soo true some folks like to throw around word and phrases that seem hip to them sothey can be considered "cool" or current

[tulane-grad]

04:11 PM on 07/08/2010

Actually, anyone who forces animals to fight each other might be considered cruel. If they electrocuted and drown the losers, they may also be characterized as vicous bullys.

If before the courts that individual then proceeds to profess their innocense (never mind, I'm going to stop here).

Thanks for assisting those that might have needed help doing the math.