High school athlete nearly paralyzed by stray bullet while gaming, PA family says

A high school athlete was shot by a stray bullet — nearly paralyzing him — as he played video games inside a Pennsylvania home, according to authorities and local reports.

The Philadelphia Police Department said the 17-year-old victim was found outside a home Sept. 1 having been shot in the back.

Investigators said the teen was playing video games with friends when a bullet came through the home’s living room window, WPVI and WTXF reported.

The teen was hospitalized and listed in stable condition, police said.

“They said if it was an inch to the right, then my baby would have been paralyzed,” Bahisha Durbin, the victim’s mother, told WPVI. “You never think it will be your kid. You try so hard to protect them, send them to good schools, surround them around good people. He’s at his coach’s house. That’s crazy.”

Surveillance footage released by police captured part of the shooting and the gunman fleeing the scene.

A motive for the shooting is unclear.

Officers are now searching for the male suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 215-686-8270.

Durbin said the shooting “could have been a whole lot worse.” Now, she is offering encouragement for her son, who she said is “scared to be in the city.”

“He can’t play football, and that’s what’s really killing him,” the mom said. “He’s a quarterback. His season is over. It’s his junior year.”

This story was originally published September 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM with the headline "High school athlete nearly paralyzed by stray bullet while gaming, PA family says."