Update on LDWF agent shooting

Update:   7:30 PM SATURDAY    A wildlife agent who was shot five times while making an overnight traffic stop in Morehouse Parish is in critical but stable condition at University Health in Shreveport, incoming Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet USA Today Network reported Saturday afternoon.

Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler, 25, of Monroe, was shot just after 2 a.m. Saturday on the southbound lane of U.S. 165 between Bastrop and Sterlington in the Perryville area.

Two suspects, including a woman, were in custody following a Louisiana State Police manhunt, Morehouse Parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs said, but no official arrests have been made. EARLIER THE USA NETWORK REPORTED TWO ARRESTS HAD BEEN MADE.

“It’s a very active investigation,” Trooper Michael Reichardt said.

Montoucet flew from Lafayette to Shreveport on Saturday to offer support to Wheeler and his family.

“The next 36 to 72 hours are critical,” Montoucet said. “We’re doing a lot of praying. I just wanted to make sure the family knows we’re going to provide whatever support is needed.”

Wheeler’s father, Darren Wheeler, an assistant principal at Ouachita Junior High School, said in a Facebook post his son was shot five times — twice in the arm, once in the shoulder, once in the jaw and once in the left temple.  Darren Wheeler’s Facebook post was also optimistic about his son’s prognosis and said Gov. John Bel Edwards called the family.

“All Doctors are saying how good he is doing with all that has happened … Got to meet with Dr. Nanda. He was very positive and excited how good he is doing. He feels he will be fine. … Thanks for all the prayers. They are working. Thanks to the response from The LDWF from the top down and all surrounding (law enforcement officers). They have been very supportive. Governor Edwards has reached out and called Haley. It is a wait and see game now, but all is positive so far because Tyler is a fighter.”

Tubbs said the suspects were driving a stolen white Jeep. Any information about this case should be given to local law enforcement as soon as possible.

UPDATED: 2 P.M. SATURDAY:   A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent who was shot multiple times overnight while making a traffic stop in Morehouse Parish has undergone surgery at University Health in Shreveport, incoming LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet the USA Today Network has reported online.  Montoucet has just been named the new LDWF Secretary this past week.

Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler, 25, of Monroe, was shot just after 2 a.m. on the southbound lane of U.S. 165 between Bastrop and Sterlington in the Perryville area.

Two suspects, including a woman, are in custody following a State Police manhunt, Morehouse Parish Sheriff Mike Tubbs said.

Montoucet flew to Shreveport and said, “I just want to be there to reassure the agent and his family that the department will provide whatever support they need for his recovery.”

Wheeler’s father Darren Wheeler, an assistant principal at Ouachita Junior High School, said in a Facebook post his son was shot five times — twice in the arm, once in the shoulder, once in the jaw and once in the left temple. Darren Wheeler said doctors told the family his son has “all of his motion and they said he can move everything on commands. They said that was very good. He even answered some questions but was still hazy on some things but overall is good. … they say the first 72 hours will be critical.”

Tubbs said the suspects were driving a stolen white Jeep.

Wheeler made the stop at 2:06 a.m. A second LDWF agent arrived on the scene at 2:15 a.m. and found Wheeler on the ground. He was able to radio a distress call to LDWF dispatch, secure the scene, notify local emergency medical services and provide assistance to Wheeler.  EMS personnel stabilized Wheeler on the scene and prepared him for air transport. Wheeler was airlifted to Shreveport about 4 a.m.

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ORIGINAL POST: 7 A.M. SATURDAY:  A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent was shot in the line of duty while on patrol in Morehouse Parish in the early morning hours of Jan. 7.

At 2:06 a.m. Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler, 25, of Monroe, performed a vehicle stop in the south bound lane of Hwy. 165 in between Sterlington and Bastrop in the Perryville area.  During the vehicle stop, Wheeler was shot multiple times.

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 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and render assistance to Wheeler.

EMS arrived on scene and were able to stabilize Wheeler and prepare him for air transport.  Wheeler was airlifted around 4 a.m. to the LSU Health Shreveport Trauma Center for immediate treatment.  It is unknown at this time the extent of Wheeler’s injuries.

Authorities are currently looking for the shooting suspect at this time.  Louisiana State Police will be handling the investigation into the shooting with assistance from the LDWF Enforcement Division.

Wheeler has been an LDWF agent for two and a half years and is married with one child.