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Father Accused Of Attempting To Murder Mother Of Child During Custody Exchange In Stafford

Shots were fired during a curious child custody exchange gone sideways in Stafford County over the weekend, leading to an attempted murder charge for a Maryland man wanted all over Virginia, the sheriff's office announced.

Almon Wheeler

Almon Wheeler

Photo Credit: Stafford County Sheriff

Prince George's County resident Almon Wheeler, 28, of Fort Washington, is facing attempted murder and other charges following a quarrelsome child custody exchange that happened on Sunday, Jan. 8.

The incident began shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday night.

It is alleged that Wheeler was at the Dixon Street 7-Eleven to conduct a child custody exchange of his 1-year-old child with its mother, police said.

Wheeler was in the passenger seat with a woman driving and the child in the backseat, but before the exchange could take place, there was a disturbance in the area and the woman drove away.

The mother of the toddler followed the woman into the Argyle Heights neighborhood, but as she exited her car to retrieve the child, Wheeler allegedly fired multiple rounds at her, striking her car twice.

According to police, Wheeler's driver then proceeded to flee the area toward King George with Wheeler and the child inside the vehicle. A short time later, deputies learned that Wheeler had dropped the child off with a relative and it was turned over to the mother.

Wheeler - who was already wanted in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and King George - was tracked down and charged with:

  • Attempted murder;
  • Malicious shooting at a vehicle;
  • Possession of a firearm by a felon.

He is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. 

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