While living with his father in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Michael Blidi Jr. was shot in the abdomen by a masked man who stepped out of a car while he was standing outside his house early morning on May 29.
After the shooting left him paralyzed from the knees down, the high school football star, who had his entire future ahead of him, is now dealing with a new reality.
His father, Michael Blidi Sr., recalled the incident to WCCO, saying, “I came down here. I just heard him, ‘Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad.’ I went downstairs, and he was on the floor, bleeding profusely. I just thought my son was dying.”
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According to court documents that WCCO was able to obtain, the shooting was caused by a fight that broke out during a park basketball game.
Days later, a group of men in ski masks passed Blidi Jr.’s house, and one of them shot before running away.
“I look and see a car that doesn’t really look familiar. I see people hop out with ski masks on. I just heard a loud sound, and I felt myself drop,” Blidi Jr. said.
Blidi Jr. is now paralyzed from the knees down, despite having survived.
The teenager had received a full ride scholarship to play football at an Iowa community college after excelling as an outside linebacker at his Pennsylvania high school.
However, medical professionals worry that the incident could permanently impair his mobility.
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The father was thankful that his son was still alive despite the uncertain future.
“He do have faith. He has high spirits. We’ll hope that this turns out for the best,” the father said.
In the hospital, Blidi Jr. is gradually getting better and undergoing physical therapy in the hopes of walking and playing football again in the future.
“Through it all, keep your head up,” he said.
One man has been taken into custody by police on suspicion of aiding the gunmen. The investigation continues.
