Crime

California Soldier Paralyzed After Being Shot at His Own Homecoming Party

Soldier Shot at his Homecoming Party

(AP) An Army soldier who survived a suicide bombing while serving in Afghanistan has been left paralyzed after being shot at his homecoming party in Southern California.

Christopher Sullivan, 22, was shot late Friday while trying to break up a fight between his brother and another man at a San Bernardino residence.

“My son didn’t deserve this. He served his country,” his mother, Suzanne Sullivan, told the San Bernardino Sun.

Suzanne Sullivan said her son suffered two gunshot wounds to his back, which shattered his spine. Family members told the newspaper that the shooting late Friday left Sullivan paralyzed and in critical condition.

Police said Sullivan’s brother and a partygoer got into an argument. When Sullivan moved to intervene, the man pulled a gun and opened fire.

The gunman fled the scene before police arrived.

Sullivan was wounded in a suicide bombing attack last year in Kandahar while serving with the 101st Infantry Division.He suffered a cracked collar bone and brain damage in the attack and has been recovering in Kentucky where he is stationed.

He was home on leave when the shooting occurred. His enlistment would be complete in April, after which Sullivan had planned to come home to go to college.

Family members are calling on the shooter to surrender and police have not yet identified the suspect.

Comments (50)

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  • Patricia1952
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 10:37am

    It is very small consolation, but because he was still on active duty, he will be service connected for the incident, at 100% plus additional benefits that depending on the level of paralysis, could be as much as $8,000 a month, plus all medical care, plus other benefits. I really hate this happened to him. I hate that any of our veterans are so injured or disabled that they require the highest level of disability benefits. I will carry him my prayes, him and his family, and all veterans who become permanently disabled in service to our Great Country.

    Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:08pm

      There is no guarantee he’ll get 100% rating. I have a total of 100% but was rated at 70%. The VA ratings depend on the local docs then the next up board to determine. Until then, the Army will care for him once he’s stable enough to move.

      Then once out of the Army, it can take months upon months to be rated in the VA system…which is “slow as dirt” no matter what they say in the press these days. It took over a year for one of my 100% friends to get his rating. His was supposedly expedited, too. The system is jammed w/all our returning war vets who need care, too.

      It will not “unjam” for decades since the gov‘t is out of money and won’t expand the system. The system will bog further as Vietnam vets grow older and need more fm the system.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
  • ed0315
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:33am

    Ah yes, California the state that provides the perfect picture of everything the crest of the country shouldn’t do! Ban guns and who has them? Bad guys that’s who. Didn’t D.C. do that also? That worked out well for them. We just need to get rid of all liberals.

    Report Post » ed0315  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:43am

      before I even clicked on this I KNEW what i was going to see. I was right.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • tbolt71
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:05am

    bottom line….bullets are cheaper than donuts…a bullet can end a situation in less time than a cop can!! go ahead and keep banning guns you liberal loons…one day you will all be on the receiving end

    Report Post »  
  • Sicialian Eyeball
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 8:07am

    Ghetto gang culture. Plenty of gang members in the military. All very dangerous. If he hadnt served in the army, would he have dererved to be shot? Hang with animals,you might get bit.

    Report Post »  
    • singleparent
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 8:15am

      sounds like self defence 2 on one about time someone stood up to these hoodlems.. prolly was another hoodlem.. who cares letem kill each other off…

      Report Post »  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:39am

    Sacramento is the ****** ******* ****!!!!! of California. I live by San Berdooo as well, and it’s a great reason why public assitance should be put to a stop.

    Report Post »  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:33am

    There is no such thing as a “California soldier”, as we are not a sovereign nation (yet).
    I wish this Soldier and his family the best.

    Report Post »  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:26am

      Yes, but the real question is… is there a such thing as a “Hollywood Marine?” Yes there is, if you were a “Boot” in San Diego.

      Sementics regarding the title of this story.

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • 1moreOutnumbered
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:56am

    This is one of the many reasons that when my term of service was up I left Southern California. As a law abiding citizen its damn near impossible to own a hand gun there, so I’m pretty sure there was some gang affiliation going on with this story.

    That being said, my heart and prayers go out to this young man who atleast tried to rise above the situation he was raised in and served his country. May God bless him and his family.

    Report Post » 1moreOutnumbered  
  • SIXFRIGATES
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:17am

    And you left out the part about gang affiliation because…???

    Report Post » SIXFRIGATES  
  • lodgerat
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:11am

    I’d like to add my prayers for this soldier. I will also pray for our country for it is in terrible shape. God Bless everyone and Merry Christmas on the day of our Saviors birth.

    Report Post » lodgerat  
  • Free2speakRN
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:06am

    God help this family. God help this country.

    Report Post »  
  • Veritas Libertas
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:42am

    Thoughts and prayers to the Sullivan family. It wouldn’t be good to deal with this anytime, but it’s especially heartbreaking durning the Christmas season.

    Just a point of note, it’s the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

    Report Post »  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:17am

      Good catch VERITAS! We in the Military and Retired, appreciate the proper designations assigned to our units when they are being written or talked about in the civilian world. Although the “Screaming Eagles” are a light Infantry Division, they do go by 101st Airborne Division with [Air Assualt] also used along with that unit designation in most Military circles (especially and proudly by the 101st).

      Your comment yesterday blew by me without comment. (scrolls and tabs) and I mean‘t to say something but was rushing to a Christmas party and didn’t follow up. Airborne tabs Ranger tabs, Mountain tabs, SF tabs, Sapper tabs, LRP/Ranger unit scrolls etc…

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • Diego Roswell
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:31am

    Only criminals carry guns in California. I should know, I live here. It is nearly impossible to legally obtain a conceal carry permit “without sufficient reason” “pass a physical and psychological test” “take a course” “pay several fees” etc etc. I feel bad for the veteran and his family, however, no man should die by the gun of a criminal without being able to defend himself. California is spiraling toward anarchy and will be the first to collapse along with Illinois. Tragic, hopeless, ignorance.

    Report Post » Diego Roswell  
    • 1776freedomofspeech
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:44am

      California has been in a nose dive for a long time now. See Nancy Pelosi, Gov Brown and the 9th Circuit Court.

      Report Post » 1776freedomofspeech  
    • FstEti
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:55am

      Yep, and the majority of voters in that city support which Political Party?
      That about says it all…………

      Report Post »  
  • noland
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:30am

    GOD,Our Father in Heaven,Please forgive America for sins we have done aganist You, Lord We Thank You, for Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ! Help this family,and heal the state of Califonia and its people! Have mercy on America Lord as we find our way back too YOU. Amen

    Report Post »  
    • 1776freedomofspeech
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:40am

      Get it together. America didn’t shoot this Soldier, a weak minded ethnic minority with probable “gang” affiliations shot this Hero.

      Deserve has nothing to do with it. The Hero should not have been associating with the types would would be bringing guns to a welcome home party.

      That is called “Force Protection”. Don’t do stupid stuff. People need to be responsible. The USA didn’t cause this event. A stupid human did.

      Report Post » 1776freedomofspeech  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:26am

    prayers to this family. very very sad

    Report Post »  
  • Country_of_Arizona
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:26am

    Remember the story just not to long ago about gang members inside the military? Not saying that this solider was a g/m, but maybe his brother is and had promised something he couldn’t keep and that’s one possible reason for the fight. If the shooter was there why isn’t he known to the others–especially the brother–updates to follow I’m sure.

    Report Post » Country_of_Arizona  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 9:53am

      Sometimes people can’t help if they have fools in their families and those fools have friends who are fools.

      This kid may have joined the Military to get himself away from these fools and the demographics of the area where he lived, but family and what is called home… has a way of dragging you back into the BS you left. Home is where the heart is, but sometimes it’s a killer too.

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:22am

    God help this family.. !

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:18am

    Im getting embarraced to even be in the human race,animals arent this vile.Thank you soldier for you service to this tragic country and i wish for you the recovery that you deserve……….GOD bless

    Report Post »  
    • 1776freedomofspeech
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:30am

      This country is not tragic, it is just filled with ethnic cowards who shoot war heroes, because of some perceived insult or slight. Then the cowards blame everything and everybody except the one responsible. The shooter.

      Report Post » 1776freedomofspeech  
  • Rob_M
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:57pm

    I was afraid when I read the title it was gonna be some anti-war freak.

    Report Post » Rob_M  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:33pm

    My prayers go out to this soldier and his family. I am finding it very hard to keep hate out of my heart for the shooter, may God have mercy.

    Report Post »  
  • jand777
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:27pm

    Gotta be kidding me. It’s amazing the people have no more respect for life than what they do. The inability to think no farther about their future than that moment. I read recently the schools have done away with the concept of “right and wrong,“ and are teaching ”situational ethics.” If this is true, it sure explains a lot.

    Report Post »  
    • ICRedifURBlue
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:38pm

      S&W .40 cal for “Situational Ethics”………..May God bless this man’s family, pray for a Christmas miracle.

      Report Post »  
  • Gary S
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:25pm

    They know who this bag of Ed Schultz is. No cops. Horse whip & hang him.

    Report Post »  
  • I 2 tremble T.J.
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:21pm

    I pray that Christopher and his family recieve the most wonderful Blessings in their time of strife. My heart goes out to them and may the joy of Christ cover them with the warmest of embrasses. *God Bless* and MERRY CHRISTMAS :)

    Report Post » I 2 tremble T.J.  
  • flavsngrace
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:21pm

    What a tragedy. May God be with him and the family.

    Report Post » flavsngrace  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:20pm

    God help him and his family in this tragic time. Give him a full recovery.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:17pm

    It’s Christmas…I’m not going there. Prayers for him and his family.

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:08am

      I agree..God bless him and his family.

      And may God touch the shooters heart.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
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