WCSO: DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE ENDS IN POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING

Press release from the Will County Sheriff's Office:

Kathy

December 20, 2021

This morning at approximately 4:30am, Will County Sheriff's deputies, along with other police agencies, were dispatched to assist New Lenox Police in an attempt to apprehend Alexander Wheeler, age 21. Deputies were advised that Wheeler had just been suspected of shooting his father in the face and battering his mother at their residence located at 1900 block of Grand Prairie Drive in New Lenox. Police were advised that Wheeler may be under the influence of drugs and was possibly in possession of a weapon. A description of his vehicle was given as a 2020 silver Honda Civic.

   At approximately 5am, a Sheriff's deputy located the vehicle in the area of Cedar Road and Laraway Road. While additional officers arrived, a traffic stop was attempted on Wheeler. Wheeler refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. Wheeler eventually fled back to his subdivision and officers fanned out in an attempt to locate Wheeler. Wheeler's vehicle was then observed heading down Wind Crest Lane where he attempted to drive through a resident's backyard. A Sheriff's deputy was directly behind Wheeler. Wheeler then exited his vehicle. The Sheriff's deputy made several attempts to get Wheeler to comply but was unsuccessful. The deputy deployed his Tazer in an attempt to disable Wheeler but did not have the desired effect. Wheeler continued to disregard the officer’s commands, which led to the officer deploying his service weapon and shooting Wheeler. Aid was immediately rendered to Wheeler by police. He was transported to Silver Cross Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Wheeler's father was also transported to Silver Cross Hospital. He sustained serious injuries but was conscious at the scene. His current condition is unknown at this time.

The Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force will be investigating this incident. All future inquiries in this case should be directed to the Task Force Public Information Officer, Chief Ken Kroll of the Romeoville Police Department at [email protected]

This press release was produced by the Will County Sheriff's Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.