Former Starkville policeman indicted a year after shooting

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oktibbeha County grand jury has indicted a former Starkville Police Department officer in connection with an officer-involved shooting.

Gary Wheeler, 25, is indicted for shooting Zyterrious Gandy, a robbery suspect during the early morning hours of June 3rd, 2017.

Wheeler was a responding officer to a robbery at the Sprint Mart at the corner of South Montgomery and Highway 12.

Gandy allegedly robbed the store and took off in a vehicle with officers in pursuit.

The chase ended on South Wedgewood but Gandy left the car and ran from officers.

The indictment states that Wheeler shot into Gandy’s vehicle. Gandy was apparently shot several times before he was arrested.

Gandy was charged in connection to the robbery and pursuit last year.

Starkville Police turned the investigation over to the MBI.

On Monday, Starkville Police confirmed Wheeler was placed on administrative leave following the shooting.

Read that statement here.

He later resigned.

Wheeler then went to work in April of this year for the MSU Police Department.

Late Monday, MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter stated that Wheeler resigned from his MSU position.

“In April, 2018, Gary Wheeler was employed as an officer in the MSU Police Department. As of today, Mr. Wheeler has resigned his position at MSU and he is no longer employed with the university. Out of respect to the ongoing legal process, MSU will have no additional comment on this matter,” said Salter.

If convicted, Wheeler faces up to 20 years in prison.