Calgarian recounts shooting outside his home that left him paralyzed
Nick Langridge is recovering in a Calgary hospital after being shot in the back while confronting a stranger near his southeast home last month.
Langridge says he was getting ready for bed in the early morning hours of July 4 when he heard a loud bang from a transformer and the power went out inside his residence in the Oasis Mobile Home Park.
"I went outside just to see if anything was up," recounted Langridge, "Shortly after, the suspect came into the alleyway and entered the trailer park."
Langridge says there was a second loud bang in the nearby intersection before he saw the man. His initial thought was the man, who he did not recognize from the trailer park, was car prowling as it was 4 a.m.
Langridge confronted the man and the man took off. A foot chase ensued and Langridge quickly gained ground.
"I caught up to him and grabbed him by the back. Before I could even stop and turn around, he must have had his hand on the gun already, took that first shot and hit me in the spine."
The shooting victim was transported by ambulance from the 2100 block of 50th Street S.E to the Foothills Medical Centre in critical condition.
The suspect was located on scene and, according to police, transported to hospital for treatment of his own gunshot wound. Investigators say the confrontation between Langridge and the suspect occurred a short time after a single vehicle crash in the vicinity that occurred after officers spotted a vehicle speeding near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street S.E. and elected not to pursue due to the dangerous nature of the driving.
Jason Marc Leduc, 19, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder as well as drug, dangerous driving and firearms-related charges. Leduc also faces charges in connection with a December 2020 shooting in the southeast neighbourhood of Cranston that left a man critically injured.
Langridge is now paralyzed from the waist down. He has four cracked vertebrae and it appears that he will have permanent paralysis.
"Its something that I’ve been dealing with alright. My oldest brother Mike is in an electric wheel chair, he’s been a huge mental support through this, just knowing that people can undergo these situations and still carry on to live a very positive life."
Langridge is staying positive through his recovery and plans to live his life the way he had before, with a goal of returning to being self-employed as a commercial flooring installer.
"That’s my plan, I want to get back to work, keep paying my bills myself. Get my van converted so I can keep driving, keep living my life how I was essentially."
Langridge's home needs massive renovations to make it more accessible for him and a GoFundMe campaign has been started to help ease some of the financial stress.
"My brother did set up a GoFundMe and I definitely have to express my gratitude to everybody that’s taken part in that, I can't believe the generosity, honestly."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.