A 37 year old man is recovering after being shot three times at 12:30 a.m. on December 6th in the 200 block of Blue Flame Road. A caller told police an argument was heard prior to several rounds of gunfire. Officers arrived and found a vehicle with a window broken and drops of blood in the driveway that lead to a home. Officers searched the residence but no one was found inside.
Another officer arrived at a hospital when the victim was being dropped off. He was rushed into emergency surgery with life-threatening injuries. The victim remains hospitalized but now is in stable condition.
Crime scene investigators processed the scene and spoke with witnesses. Through several interviews, tips and speaking with the victim, the suspect was identified as 41 year old January Wheeler. The victim said he went to a friends house and was approached by Wheeler who pulled out a gun and shot him several times outside the home.
Wheeler was located at a Beatrice motel on January 7th and was arrested for 1st degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
LPD expresses their gratitude to the United States Marshals service, Gage County Sheriff’s office, and the Nebraska State Patrol k-9 unit for their assistance in safely taking Wheeler into custody.