Man shot by troopers recovering from surgery

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A rifle-wielding man who was shot on a Butler Township street by state troopers is recovering in a Pittsburgh hospital Monday.

State police said the man, Sam Wheeler, 24, was reported to be firing the gun either into the air or into a residence shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday.

When troopers arrived in the area, Wheeler was seen carrying the “carbine-type rifle” on Bessemer Avenue. He was then given orders to drop the weapon, which he ignored.

Instead, Sam Wheeler raised the gun and aimed it toward troopers, at which point one trooper fired at least two rounds from an AR-15 patrol rifle, police said. A second trooper fired at least one round from a .45-caliber pistol.

Sam Wheeler was shot in the hand/forearm area before leading troopers on a brief chase.

Channel 11's Jennifer Tomazic reports troopers are with Wheeler as he recovers from hand surgery at UPMC Presbyterian hospital.

“I’m terribly grateful that no one else got hurt. It could have been a lot worse,” said Charles Wheeler II, Sam Wheeler’s father.

Before troopers arrived in the area, Sam Wheeler allegedly threatened to kill a family member, whom he swiped a knife at, police said. That family member, Charles Wheeler II, and another then had the rifle pointed at them once the knife was wrestled from

Sam Wheeler.

“There's no explanation,” said Charles Wheeler II. “I've never seen him like that.”

After running out of the house, Sam Wheeler began firing shots and banged on a neighbor’s door.

Residents in the area told authorities that Sam Wheeler fired between three to five rounds. Several bullet casings were found in the street.

Charges against Sam Wheeler include criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, assault of law enforcement and recklessly endangering another person.

The troopers involved in the shooting have been temporarily placed on administrative duties, as per standard procedure in such cases.

WPXI