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Citing new evidence, Virginia Beach police take new look at Vick after shooting

Andy Reid and the Virginia Beach Police Department have the same problem. Neither knows what to call Michael Vick. "Right now, we don't really have a title for him," police spokesman Adam Bernstein told the Daily News yesterday.

Michael Vick may be of interest to Va. Beach police in the investigation of a shooting. (Steven M. Falk/Staff file photo)
Michael Vick may be of interest to Va. Beach police in the investigation of a shooting. (Steven M. Falk/Staff file photo)Read more

Andy Reid and the Virginia Beach Police Department have the same problem.

Neither knows what to call Michael Vick.

"Right now, we don't really have a title for him," police spokesman Adam Bernstein told the Daily News yesterday.

That's a clear departure from Friday's declaration.

Then, police said they had "no interest" in Vick after a shooting occurred outside of a bar/restaurant where Vick, a former Pro Bowl quarterback, had been celebrating his 30th birthday.

How much time elapsed between him leaving and the shooting early Friday morning, as well as more witness evidence, has changed that stance.

Bernstein confirmed that on Tuesday police obtained a surveillance video from the club that, according to news reports, shows Vick and his entourage left just minutes before the shooting.

Vick's lawyer, Larry "Woody" Woodward, said Friday that Vick left the club long before the shooting. Party attendee and former Falcons teammate Roddy White insisted the same.

Complicating matters: The shooting victim has been identified by media outlets as Quanis Phillips, a co-defendant in the case that sent Vick to prison for 18 months on gambling and dogfighting convictions.

Several reports indicate that Phillips might have been ejected from the establishment, the Guadalajara, after causing a disturbance at the party, although a spokesman for the Guadalajara disputed those reports.

Now, investigators won't characterize Vick as a suspect, a person of interest or a witness, Bernstein said. They just want more time.

"We didn't know anything" when they were asked Friday morning about their interest in Vick's involvement in the shooting, Bernstein said.

"Since then, we have viewed this video. And more people have come forward, giving information," Bernstein said.

That includes Vick, who, with his lawyer, voluntarily submitted to an interview by police Monday morning - the day before police obtained the tape.

Vick is on probation, and, according to one source, his federal probation officer in Norfolk is investigating the incident as well.

All of which could affect Vick's tenuous reinstatement to the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Vick for the first two games of the 2009 season. He is looking into Vick's involvement in the shooting last week.

Which means the Eagles again might be without their "Wildcat" man. Vick spent much of last season as the team's designated "Wildcat" performer.

In an experiment masterminded by Reid, the Eagles coach and shot-caller, the Eagles signed Vick upon his exit from prison when other clubs deemed him toxic.

In Reid's schemes, Vick would replace Donovan McNabb at quarterback and run a play or two per game, usually an option play, which usually failed.