Embattled NFL star Michael Vick, even in the midst of his own redemption, faces a new and significant set of challenges.

On top of being voted The Most Disliked Person In Sports nearly a year after his return to the NFL, he must now deal with an investigation of a shooting which occurred at the end of his birthday bash.

While celebrating his 30th birthday at a public party held in a Virginia Beach restaurant, an acquaintance of Vick’s got into an altercation with him. This acquaintance, Quanis Phillips, was also a co-defendant in the infamous dogfighting ring which landed Vick in prison for 18 months. During the altercation, Phillips shoved a slice of birthday cake into Vick’s face.

Within an hour, Philips was shot at the entrance of Guadelajara’s restaurant, where the party had taken place.

Michael Vick’s lawyer released a statement after the fallout in which Vick was said to have exited the party 10 to 30 minutes before the shooting took place. Surveillance footage taken at the restaurant now reveals Vick actually left approximately three minutes before the shooting—a discovery of which much has been made in the media over the past few days.

Of course, most sports fans remember NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly telling Vick that his margin for error was “extremely limited” following the dogfighting conviction.

Vick released a statement seeking to dispel any rumors that he was involved with the situation.

“I want to assure everyone that I had nothing to do with that incident,” Vick said in a statement released Thursday night. “I left the restaurant prior to it occurring and did not witness what happened.”

Police have publicly announced that Vick has not been ruled out as a suspect in the crime as of yet. Michael Vick’s brother, Marcus, who has had his own share of legal troubles over the years, may also emerge as a suspect in the ongoing investigation.

One source claims that “everyone knows” who did what, but witnesses are refusing to talk.

While many have begun to criticize Vick’s judgement for opening his birthday party to the public, The Philadelphia Eagles have announced their decision to stick behind their backup quarterback for the time being unless he turns out to be linked to the shooting.

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