After multiple outlets reported that NFL free-agent Chad Wheeler was arrested for physically assaulting his girlfriend of 6-months, prosecutors have issued charges, TMZ reports.
According to the outlet, the 27-year-old athlete has been charged with one count of first-degree domestic violence assault, one count of domestic violence unlawful imprisonment, and one count of resisting arrest.
“The defendant, who is physically conditioned and trained to compete at the highest level of professional sports, strangled, suffocated and beat the victim into unconsciousness — twice — both times leaving her for dead as blood poured from her nose and mouth, and into her stomach and lungs,” prosecutors noted in court documents.
Before prosecutors brought charges against him, Wheeler had broken his silence on the alleged incident, blaming his actions on a “manic episode.”
In a series of tweets on Twitter, the former Seattle Seahawk wrote,
“Events happened over the weekend that transpired from a manic episode,” Wheeler tweeted…”I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering that I have caused to [the victim] and her family.”
https://twitter.com/ChadWheeler72/status/1354543449282727939
“I apologize profusely for the turmoil that I have caused to my family, teammates, fans, and those closest to me,” he continued. “The most important thing right now is that [the victim] gets the care she needs, and I get help. Both are happening.”
https://twitter.com/ChadWheeler72/status/1354543600315502594
Along with an apology, Wheeler announced that he was stepping away for football to seek help to ensure that incident that occurred between him and his girlfriend never happen again.
“It is time for me to walk away from football and get the help I need to never again pose a threat to another. I cannot express my sorrow or remorse enough. I am truly ashamed.”
https://twitter.com/ChadWheeler72/status/1354543658599518208
In the wake of his arrest, NFL team Seattle Seahawks releases a statement regarding letting Wheeler go from the team and sending their condolences to the victim.
“The Seahawks are saddened by the details emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn this act of domestic violence,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and support are with the victim. Chad is a free agent and no longer with the team.”
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) January 27, 2021
On Friday, Jan 22., Wheeler’s girlfriend called family members and police after the NFL player stopped taking his bipolar disorder medication several days before the heinous attack, the outlet continued.
When authorities arrived on the scene, they forced their way inside after they “could hear a female screaming from inside the apartment.”
Inside, police again force their way into the bathroom, where they found Wheeler and his girlfriend, who had sustained multiple injuries, including a bloodied nose.
Police detained an uncooperative Wheeler, and first responders took his girlfriend to a nearby hospital.
There, she told the cops that “Chad suffers from bipolar disorder and is medicated but has not been taking his medication recently.”
She explained that the 27-year-old Seattle resident had a manic episode that night after having a rough week.
During the brutal attack, the victim says Chad strangled her “with both his hands for some time.”
When she lost consciousness then came to, Wheeler said, “Wow, you’re alive?”
When authorities documented her injuries, they revealed that her “left elbow joint was obviously swollen and deformed compared to her right arm, [and she had] noticeable fingerprints on both sides of her neck as well as capillaries that had burst at the back of her throat.”
Wheeler was arrested and booked on a domestic violence charge Saturday morning. He was released on Tuesday after posting a $400,000 bail.
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