Man charged with attempted murder
A man wanted in connection with a shooting at a Panama City apartment complex was captured Wednesday evening.
On Monday, Aug. 8th, officers with the Panama City Police Department were called to the Foxwood Apartments on Hamilton Avenue in reference to shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers heard from witnesses that up to four shots had been fired in the complex.
At the same time, a male victim arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his right wrist. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives with PCPD began talking to witnesses who identified the shooter as Roderick Devon Wheeler Jr., 28. Witnesses said Wheeler fired four shots at the victim before fleeing on foot. After viewing surveillance video from the apartment complex, detectives learned that Wheeler had been driven to the apartment complex in a SUV, exited the vehicle and two minutes later was seen running toward the exit.
On Wednesday, detectives with the department found the SUV located in Springfield. The registered owner was brought in for questioning in the case, and through their investigation, members of the PCPD’s Street Crimes Unit were able to locate Wheeler hiding in a shed at a residence in Callaway and he was taken into custody.
Wheeler was charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder and felon in possession of a firearm and booked into the Bay County Jail. Wheeler also had outstanding warrants for battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and drug warrants. The firearm Wheeler was in possession of was listed as stolen out of Tallahassee. The investigation is ongoing.
