Alexander Wheeler, 20, of Nashua was recently sentenced to at least 15 years in prison in connection with the shooting death of Lee Knoetig last August. Courtesy Photo/Nashua Police Department

NASHUA – Alexander Wheeler, 20, of Nashua, pled guilty on Aug. 16 to his involvement in the shooting death of 53-year-old Lee Knoetig last summer.

According to court documents, Wheeler shot Knoetig in the chest on Aug. 5, 2022 outside the Sunoco gas station at 543 Amherst St.

At the time of his arrest, Wheeler was initially charged with second-degree murder and faced the possibility of life in prison. However, as part of a plea deal, Wheeler agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter and to falsifying physical evidence as he discarded the gun that he used in the shooting.

In accordance with the plea deal, the court sentenced Wheeler to 15-30 years for manslaughter and three to six years for falsifying physical evidence. He can petition for a reduction of two years if he earns his Associate’s Degree or receives no major prison infractions during the next five years.

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