SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Ruben Ray Jurardo, 19, is being charged for the attempted murder of war veteran and Purple Heart recipient Christopher Sullivan, 22. Sullivan was shot at a house party and is currently paralyzed from the neck down.

The altercation occurred during Sullivan’s welcome home party on Friday. The Associated Press reports Sullivan’s brother and Jurardo got into an disagreement at the party over football teams, Sullivan intervened and was shot by Jurardo multiple times.

Jurardo turned himself into the Chino Hills police after fleeing from the scene. Jurardo’s defense attorney Michael J. Holmes believes that his client shot out of self-defense and that he was kicked in the back, stomach and head by Sullivan. “It is alleged at that point that Mr.Sullivan was shot,” Holmes told The Huffington Post.

Sullivan suffered a cracked skull in a bombing attack last year while serving in Afghanistan. He had been recovering at a base in Kentucky before traveling back to California, according to ABC News.

Jurardo’s bail has been set at $1 million. He is in custody at the West Valley Detention Center, according to the Contra Costa Times.

About The Author

Mahsa Dinyari is a Blast West correspondent

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