Task force still investigating deadly police shooting of New Lenox man

Investigators and police officials did not provide further details on the death of a 21-year-old man who was shot by a deputy in New Lenox as the incident was still under an outside investigation.

On Dec. 20, Alexander Wheeler was fatally shot by a deputy responding to a report of Wheeler fleeing his New Lenox home after he shot his 52-year-old father in the face and battered his mother, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy’s shooting remains under investigation by the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force. Officers with the New Lenox Police Department were the first to respond to the shooting of Wheeler’s father.

Officials with both agencies had no updates on the father’s status. Sheriff’s officials previously said the father suffered serious injuries but was conscious at the scene.

Romeoville Police Chief Ken Kroll, the task force spokesman, said on Wednesday that officer interviews have been completed. He said the task force continues to follow up on evidence concerning the incident.

Kroll said when the task force completes the investigation, they will present it to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“I don’t anticipate having any additional media information until that time,” Kroll said.

Kroll did not answer several questions regarding the type of firearm used by Wheeler, where the firearm came from, who owned it, whether Wheeler was armed when he was shot and the father’s condition.

New Lenox Deputy Chief Micah Nuesse said Wheeler was living at the Grand Prairie Drive home where the shooting that wounded his father occurred. As with Kroll, he did not have answers to questions on the incident. He said the investigation is still ongoing and he had no further updates.

About 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 20, deputies and officers with other agencies, assisted New Lenox police in attempting to apprehend Wheeler following a report of him shooting his father and battering his mother, sheriff’s officials said.

About 5 a.m. that day, a deputy found Wheeler’s vehicle at Cedar and Laraway roads. Wheeler refused to comply with a traffic stop, which led to a pursuit, police said.

Wheeler fled back to his subdivision and officers fanned out in an attempt locate him, police said. His vehicle was then seen heading down Wind Crest Lane, where he tried to drive through a resident’s backyard, police said.

A deputy was behind Wheeler, who then left his vehicle, police said. The deputy hit Wheeler with a Taser but it did not stop him.

“Wheeler continued to flee without compliance of the deputy’s commands which led to the officer deploying his service weapon and shooting Wheeler,” police said.