A decorated US Army soldier recovering from injuries suffered in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan has been shot at his homecoming party and family members say he is paralysed and in a critical condition.
Christopher Sullivan, 22, was shot late on Friday while trying to break up a fight between his brother and another man at a residence in San Bernardino, California.
His mother Suzanne Sullivan, said: "My son didn't deserve this. He served his country."
She said her son suffered two gunshot wounds to his back which shattered his spine. Family members said the shooting late on Friday night left Sullivan paralysed and in a critical condition.
Police said Sullivan's brother and a partygoer got into an argument over football. When Sullivan moved to intervene, the man pulled a gun and opened fire. The gunman then 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 awarded a Purple Heart medal for being wounded in combat.
Sullivan was home on leave when the shooting occurred. His enlistment would have been completed in April, after which he had planned to go to college.
Family members are calling on the gunman to surrender.
Police have not identified the suspect.