Senior Agent Wheeler in ICU at LSU Health Shreveport Trauma Center
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agent wounded in the line of duty early Saturday morning during a vehicle stop in Morehouse Parish is in stable condition tonight after being shot five times — including once in the temple.
Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler, 25, of Monroe was shot on Highway 165 between Sterlington and Bastrop in the Perryville area during a stop at 2:06 a.m., according to a press release from the department.
In addition to the temple, Wheeler was shot in the jaw, shoulder and twice in the arm. The Louisiana State Police is handling the investigation with assistance from the LDWF Enforcement Division, and the suspect is still at large.
“Whoever committed this heinous act was shooting to kill. Luckily Senior Agent Wheeler has displayed the type of courage, toughness and determination it takes to hopefully survive this senseless and cowardly shooting,” LDWF Enforcement Division Col. Joey Broussard said. “We are encouraged by the hospital updates that say he is in stable condition and responsive to commands.
“We will be by Senior Agent Wheelers’ side throughout his recovery and our prayers will remain with him and his family.”
Another LDWF agent was a short distance from the traffic stop and arrived on scene around 2:15 a.m. when he found Wheeler on the ground. He was able to radio a distress call to LDWF dispatch, secure the scene, notify local paramedics and render assistance to Wheeler.
Wheeler, who is in the Intensive Care Unit at LSU Health Shreveport Trauma Center, has been an LDWF agent for two and a half years and is married with one child.
