Man sentenced for shooting Phoenix police officer eight times

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

Essa Williams is to be sentenced for shooting Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan eight times in 2021.

Essa Williams is to be sentenced on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. for the December 2021 shooting of Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan. The shooting occurred when Moldovan and his partner Officer Zach Johnson responded to a call about cars doing donuts near 19th Avenue and Camelback Road. Moldovan was nine months into his job as a rookie officer at the time.

Williams was convicted in August after less than one hour of jury deliberation of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of misconduct involving weapons. He faces up to life in prison. He is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release until he has served 25 years. Williams waived his right to an aggravation phase hearing earlier this year, which could have increased his sentence.

During the shooting, Williams fired eight times at Moldovan, hitting him in the head among other areas. He was also planning to shoot Johnson before Johnson tackled him and took him into custody. Moldovan was initially given little chance to survive but miraculously recovered. He spent months in hospital undergoing rehabilitation and therapy.

How it is being reported

• Sentencing set for man convicted of shooting Phoenix police officer 8 timesThe man convicted of shooting a Phoenix police officer eight times, including once in the head, is set to learn his punishment in court.Azfamily · 27 Oct, 19:12
• Sentencing set for man convicted of shooting Phoenix police officer 8 timesThe man convicted of shooting a Phoenix police officer eight times, including once in the head, is set to learn his punishment in court.KOLD · 27 Oct, 19:12

In this story: Essa Williams · Tyler Moldovan · Zach Johnson · Phoenix Police Department · Phoenix

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