The Seattle Seahawks have cut ties with offensive lineman Chad Wheeler after his arrest last weekend for investigation of domestic violence.
The team made the announcement Wednesday after pressure had been mounting from the public for the NFL and the team to take action after Wheeler, who is accused of throwing and strangling his girlfriend, was held in the King County Jail on Monday night. Wheeler on Monday appeared in King County District Court, and bail was set at $400,000. He was ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim and to surrender all weapons, according to the Seattle Times.
On Monday night, the Seahawks released a statement that they were “aware of the situation and still gathering information.” That response was ridiculed by many online, who saw the team’s statements as a dismissal of the accusations against Wheeler.
By Wednesday afternoon, the team made the decision to remove the lineman, who had played five games this season, from the team.
“The Seahawks are saddened by the details emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn this act of domestic violence. Our thoughts and support are with the victim. Chad is a free agent and no longer with the team,” the Seahawks said in a statement.
A Kent Police Department report obtained by the Times revealed police responded to a call from a woman who was reportedly locked in a bathroom following a “physical fight” with her boyfriend. The victim had called 911 to state that she was being “killed.” Once officers arrived, they observed that the woman had suffered a dislocated arm and was bleeding.
According to the report, officers could also hear screaming when they arrived, which led to them forcing their way into the apartment. They forced their way into the bathroom and found the victim and Wheeler. He was standing beside her, the report said.
Prior to the alleged attack, Wheeler, who is 6 feet 7 and 310 pounds, had reportedly asked the victim, who is 5-9 and 145 pounds, to bow to him, and when she did not he grabbed her and threw her on a bed. The report said Wheeler then strangled the victim before she lost consciousness.
The report also said when she regained consciousness, Wheeler was standing near the bed and said, “Wow, you’re alive?”
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
The victim then ran into the bathroom where she called 911 and family, according to the report. Wheeler picked the lock on the door and entered before officers arrived.
According to the report, Wheeler had been on medication for bipolar disorder but had not taken it lately.
The victim was transported to Valley Medical Center in Kent because of arm pain, the report said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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