In a development that has sent ripples through the wrestling world, AEW star Daniel Wheeler, better known as Cash Wheeler, found himself under the spotlight for reasons other than his in-ring prowess. On a Friday morning, the Orlando Police Department apprehended Wheeler, charging him with a singular count of aggravated assault with a firearm, a grave accusation that has prompted a surge of attention and scrutiny.
The incident unfolded on July 27, 2023, when the Orlando Police Department responded to a call concerning an aggravated assault involving a firearm. The victim, identified as Daniel Matta, recounted the harrowing encounter in a sworn statement to Officer M. Bowhay #19932. Matta detailed his experience while driving on Interstate 4, north of Exit 83. He narrated observing a Jeep Gladiator exhibiting erratic behavior on the road, honking its horn and weaving through traffic. In response, Matta moved his vehicle to the far-right lane to permit the Jeep to pass. The situation escalated as the Jeep, defying normal traffic lanes, took to the right shoulder to maneuver around Matta’s car on the passenger side. To his alarm, Matta noticed the driver of the Jeep, a white male sporting a beard, aiming a black semi-automatic handgun directly at him, a chilling encounter that instilled a profound fear for his life.
Subsequently, Matta took evasive action by decelerating to distance himself from the armed assailant, ultimately falling behind the suspect’s vehicle. Both vehicles were bound for Exit 83 (Ivanhoe Blvd), where Matta seized the opportunity to capture photographic evidence of the Jeep’s reckless maneuvers. The Jeep, identifiable by its Florida license plate [REDACTED], continued onto College Park Drive, with Matta promptly contacting 911 to report the incident and provide pertinent details to law enforcement.
In the investigative process that ensued, Officer M. Bowhay constructed a photo lineup utilizing the ELVIS database—a tool utilized by law enforcement for investigative purposes. This lineup featured Wheeler’s image as the suspect, and Officer Blinn #34211 presented it to Matta. Swiftly and with unwavering certainty, Matta identified the photograph of the suspect as Daniel M. Wheeler, born on May 17, 1987, thereby establishing a key piece of evidence for the case.
Based on Matta’s sworn statement and the corroborative photo lineup identification, sufficient grounds were established to charge Daniel M. Wheeler with aggravated assault with a firearm, a violation of F.S.S. 784.021(1)(A)-1, an assertion that underscores the gravity of the situation.
This incident has reverberated within the wrestling community, sparking conversations about the ramifications for Wheeler’s career and reputation. As the case unfolds, its impact on the world of wrestling and beyond remains to be seen.
Via Jon Alba, here is the police report (affidavit) from the Orange County Clerk…
“On July 27, 2023, at 0959 I, Officer M. Bowhay #19932, responded to [REDACTED] in reference to an aggravated assault with a firearm call. Upon my arrival I spoke to the victim, Daniel Matta, who provided me with a sworn written/verbal statement that said the following:
Matta stated he was driving west on Interstate 4 north of Exit 83. He noticed a Jeep Gladiator weaving in and out of traffic honking its horn, so he moved over to the far-right lane to let the Jeep pass. Matta said the Jeep took the right shoulder to drive around him on the passenger side of his vehicle. Matta looked over and noticed a white male with a beard pointing a black semi-automatic handgun out of the driver’s window at him with a strong stare. Matta said he feared for his life at this time. Matta stated he slowed down to get out of the way of the firearm and ended up behind the suspect vehicle at this time. At this time both were committed to exit 83 (Ivanhoe Blvd). Matta took pictures of the Jeep as it turned right onto College Park Drive and began to drive reckless. Matta said the Jeep beared Florida tag [REDACTED]. After taking the picture, Matta said he called 911 and gave the vehicle information to dispatch the details of what occurred. He explained he could not be late for work and asked an officer to meet him at his work. [REDACTED]
I created a photo line-up using ELVIS (a database used by law enforcement for investigative purposes). Elvis selected five random photos based on the suspect’s Florida driver’s license picture and put them in a randomized order with the suspect being the sixth picture. Officer Blinn #34211 met with Matta and presented him with the photo lineup instructions and the photo lineup. Matta quickly selected the correct picture, photo #2, of the suspect, later identified as, Daniel M. Wheeler, W/M D.O.B 5/17/1987 with 100% certainty. (See Officer Blin’s supplement for more details.) Based on Mattas sworn statement and the positive photo lineup identification, probable cause exist to charge Wheeler with, aggravated assault with a firearm violation of F.S.S. 784.021(1)(A)-1.”
