Wheeler was shot five times on Jan. 7 between Sterlington and Bastrop
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agent who was shot five times during a vehicle stop on Jan. 7 could be released from the hospital later this week.
According to a news release, 25-year-old Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler will be discharged from the LSU Health Shreveport Trauma Center on Thursday, and will be transported to a rehab facility in Mississippi.
“His spirits are high,” said his dad, Darren Wheeler. “This is amazing.”
Moving forward, his dad said his rehab will focus on strength recovery and regaining the ability to eat a normal diet. Doctors are pleased with his motor skills, memory and overall condition, he said.
Wheeler said his son has been able to walk with the help of a walker and an assistant, and was “fussing” about staying in the hospital.
Col. Joey Broussard, head of LDWF’s Enforcement Division, said the department was elated with Wheeler’s recovery.
“His Wildlife and Fisheries family is very encouraged by Tyler’s progress to date,” Broussard said. “Everything we’ve been told is that it is a miracle that he survived this cowardly attack and that the doctors are very hopeful he can make a full recovery.”
Broussard, who visited Wheeler on Tuesday, said, “It is inspiring to see his great attitude and resolve during his recovery.”
Wheeler, who was wearing his department-issued bullet-proof vest, was shot on Jan. 7 in the temple, jaw, shoulder, arm and back during a stop on Highway 165 between Sterlington and Bastrop in the Perryville area.
On Jan. 8, Louisiana State Police Detectives arrested 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe on one count of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. They also arrested 34-year-old Jeremy Gullette, of Monroe, on one count of accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder.
