On Saturday, January 7, 2017 a Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent was shot in the line of duty while on patrol in Morehouse Parish. Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler was shot multiple times during a vehicle stop on US 165 in Morehouse Parish just north of the Ouachita Parish line, reports KNOE .

Louisiana State Police Detectives began investigating the shooting and evidence was quickly discovered that led to the arrest of 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe, LA. Baird was charged and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center on one count of Attempted 1st Degree Murder of a Police Officer for the shooting of Agent Wheeler.

Also, during the course of this investigation, it was discovered that 34-year-old Jeremy Gullette of Monroe, LA assisted Baird in this crime. Gullette was charged and booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center on one count of Accessory After the Fact to Attempted 1st Degree Murder.

“I am very proud of the hard work and persistence of investigators to quickly identify and arrest these suspects,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. “We continue to pray for Agent Wheeler as he recovers from this senseless assault.”

Wheeler is being treated for multiple gunshot wounds, including a wound in the head. Family members say he is moving and responding to commands.