Benefit to be held for star athlete

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A well-known former star athlete is hoping to walk again after he was shot in Springfield last week.

22News talked to Mike Vaz's family Wednesday who say the support from the community has been overwhelming.

The once unstoppable Springfield athlete is now in a hospital bed.

"Waking up in the middle of the night and to hear that someone's been shot you don't know their condition and it was a nightmare," said Michelle Vaz, Mike Vaz's sister.

Michelle says she got that call this weekend after he was shot early Friday morning .

Vaz was caught in a murder suicide.

Police say 27-year-old Anthony Brown broke into this home, shot Vaz and killed 26-year old Julie Treadwell, before turning the gun on himself.

Vaz remains in intensive care and doctors say it's possible he'll never walk again, although family told 22News  they're just happy he's alive.

"His mind is all still there, his memory is all still there and that is such a blessing," she said.

Vaz, seen in this video, scored more than a thousand points for the Commerce High School basketball team and won countless awards and titles in both basketball and football.

He currently plays semi-pro with the Western Mass Warriors.

But with the potential for paralysis, Vaz's future on the field is now unclear.

Vaz says there's been an outpouring of support for her brother and she only hopes it will be enough to help him play again. 

"He's so determined , he is so determined, he's not going to stop. If he fought this far, trust me it's only going to get better from here," she said.

A fundraiser will be held next month to help pay for Vaz's medical care.

It will be on March 3rd at 2:00 at the X Pub in Forest Park.

Tickets will be $15 at the door. There will be free food and raffles.