A white professional footballer was arrested and expelled from his team after allegedly strangling his black girlfriend.
King County (Washington) prosecutors have filed three charges against former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chad Wheeler, according to NFL.com. The former soccer player has been charged with first degree domestic violence, unlawful detention, domestic violence and resisting arrest for the crime against his girlfriend.
Wheeler, who is currently on bail for $ 400,000 from the King County Correctional Facility, was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of domestic violence.
According to a Kent Police report, he attacked Wheeler’s girlfriend Friday night after asking her to stand up and bow to him. After she refused, Wheeler allegedly grabbed her neck and threw her on the bed. Then he started strangling her. At one point he pressed one of his hands against his girlfriend’s mouth and nose “to keep her breathing while he continued to strangle her with his other hand.”
Wheeler allegedly grabbed the friend’s left arm at one point and twisted it to prevent her from fighting back. She eventually passed out and after waking up, Wheeler allegedly said, “Wow, are you alive?” Then his girlfriend locked herself in the bathroom and called family and authorities.
Police said the victim had “noticeable fingerprints on both sides of her neck and capillaries that had burst in her throat.” Her left elbow was also swollen and deformed.
Wheeler went to Twitter to apologize.
Over the weekend, events arose out of a manic episode. I am very sorry for the pain and suffering I have caused Alleah and her family.
– Chad Wheeler (@ ChadWheeler72) January 27, 2021
I apologize very much for the turmoil I’ve caused to my family, my teammates, fans and those who are closest to me. The most important thing right now is that Alleah gets the care she needs and I get help. Both happen.
– Chad Wheeler (@ ChadWheeler72) January 27, 2021
It’s time for me to get away from football and get the help I need never to pose a threat to anyone again. I cannot express my grief or remorse enough. I am really ashamed.
– Chad Wheeler (@ ChadWheeler72) January 27, 2021
His former team, the Seattle Seahawks, released a statement after renouncing Wheeler:
“The Seahawks are saddened by the details that are emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn domestic violence,” the team said in a statement on Wednesday. “Our thoughts and our support are with the victim. Chad is a free agent and no longer on the team. If you suffer from domestic violence, call the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available around the clock in more than 170 languages. “
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