Randy Wheeler

Name:
Wheeler, Randy Warren

Date of Booking:
04/14/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Possession of Firearm or Knife during Commission of or attempt to commit a crime

Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement – 8 Counts

Reckless Conduct

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 04/13/2026, at 2209, I, Sergeant Simpson, was dispatched to the area of [900 BLOCK] Hillsdale Rd. in reference to shots fired. Dispatch advised the caller heard people arguing and then several gun shots. I and several other officers were in the area trying to find the house that the shots were fired at.

I arrived and stopped in front of [900 BLOCK] Hillsdale. I and other officers heard what sounded like shouting coming from 3rd Ave. We relocated there to try and discover the cause of the sound. I and Ptl. Craig pulled into [300 BLOCK] W 3rd. Ave and spoke with the residents. Both subjects stated they were not fighting. I asked if they heard anyone arguing or gun shots. Both subjects stated no. I confirmed this again and returned to my vehicle to drive around the area and see if I could hear anything else.

I pulled into Lowell Green to meet up with Walker County Deputies, Sgt. Camp and Cpl. Simpson. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I heard gunshots that seemed to come from the 1000 block of Hillsdale. Other officers heard gunshots as well and we all proceeded to the area. We parked in the road way south of [1000 BLOCK] Hillsdale Road.

While on scene, Sergeant First Class House, Ptl. Ferguson, Ptl. McDaniel, and Deputy Thomason arrived on scene. We all noticed a flashlight coming from the wood line. I grabbed my city issued rifle and placed the sling around my body and gathered with other officers to come up with a game plan. Sgt. Camp announced loudly that we were the police several times. At one point Sgt. Camp announced again, five loud gunshots rang out. The gun shots seemed very close. Most officers, including myself, ducked even further behind cover. I could still see a person with a flashlight in the area of the house.

Sgt. Houser asked dispatch to advise Sgt. Terry of the situation. Sgt. Terry arrived and tried to get all the details of the situation. At this time the subject that lived in [1000 BLOCK] Hillsdale Rd. called 911. Dispatch advised the subject was going to walk to the roadway. Sgt. Camp advised dispatch to give the subject instructions for coming to the roadway without anything in his hands. The subject followed orders from dispatch.

The subject came to the roadway where we met him and gave him further instructions. The subject was told to lift his shirt. The subject did and two handguns could be seen on his hip. I covered the other officers as they moved in to secure the subject. After the subject was placed in handcuffs, Sgt. Terry asked me to escort the subject to my vehicle. I escorted the subject, later identified as Randy Wheeler, to my vehicle. I stood by with Wheeler for a moment before Sgt. Terry asked me to transport Wheeler to the residence. I arrived at the residence with Wheeler.

I read Wheeler his Miranda Rights. Wheeler stated he understood and would talk to Sgt. Terry and myself without an attorney present. Sgt. Terry informed Wheeler that dispatch advised us screaming and arguing. Wheeler stated he seen three or four cars riding around the rec center (Lowell Green). Wheeler stated the vehicles parked down where our vehicles were parked and that’s when he heard the screaming.

Sgt. Terry asked Wheeler what his intent with the rifle was. Wheeler stated he was going to protect himself. Wheeler stated he did not have lights or water, and he was there all by himself. Sgt. Terry asked since the call came out like it did, if Wheeler cared if officers checked his house to make sure no one was injured in there. Wheeler stated, “go right ahead”. Officers began to clear the house.

Sgt. Terry asked Wheeler if he fired any rounds. Wheeler stated he fired some rounds earlier, probably an hour and a half ago. Sgt. Terry asked why. Wheeler stated he just goes down there and shoots. Sgt. Terry asked if he did this in the dark. Wheeler stated yes. Wheeler stated he waits until the kids are off the park to shoot.

Sgt. Terry asked Wheeler if that’s after he saw the cars flying all over the place. Wheeler stated that was after the cars were all over the place. Wheeler states that it was after “yall” (referring to police cars) parked down there. Wheeler immediately stated “I didn’t know it was yall”. Wheeler stated he seen the lights parked on the road and heard yelling. I advised Wheeler that it was us screaming police department and I informed him he shot three more rounds while we were on scene. Wheeler stated “right, ok, well I didn’t hear police department”. Wheeler stated he just heard someone scream. Wheeler stated he was trying to scare them off.

Wheeler also stated he was shooting towards the ridge. Wheeler also states he was in the Air Force and knows how to protect himself. Sgt. Terry asked him how much he had to drink tonight since you could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Wheeler’s breath. Wheeler states he had 4 beers and 4 burgers. Wheeler states he called 911 because all the lights went out and he heard yelling.

Sgt. Terry advises Wheeler he can’t attempt to intimidate people at the park with a weapon. Wheeler states they people were not on the park property but his. Sgt. Terry advised Wheeler if the cars were in the parking lot of the park with their lights on, Wheeler stopped him and said they weren’t in the parking lot but “down below him”.

Sgt. Terry asked Wheeler if the people he heard were down on the road and pointed to where the countless police vehicles were. Wheeler said yes and asked, “was that yall?” Sgt. Terry advised it was. Wheeler said he apologized. Sgt. Terry advised Wheeler to place his right leg in the vehicle. Wheeler again advised he did not hear police but thought it was kids yelling. Sgt. Terry advised Wheeler he was under arrest at this point. Wheeler asked if we would lock up his house. I advised him we would.

I transported Wheeler to the Wlaker County Jail and turned him over to staff without issue. Wheeler is being charged with one count of 16-5-60 Reckless conduct. Eight (8) counts of 16-5-21 aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. One count of 16-11-106 Possession of firearm during the commission of a felony. All charges will be turned over to the state.

[End of Narrative]