Tyler Moldovan: Man convicted of shooting Phoenix officer faces sentencing

PHOENIX – The man convicted of shooting a Phoenix police officer eight times will be sentenced on Tuesday afternoon.

Essa Williams was found guilty of attempted homicide and aggravated assault back in August.

The Shooting of Tyler Moldovan:

In December 2021, Moldovan and his partner, Zach Johnson, responded to a call about a car doing donuts near 19th Avenue and Camelback Road. The two were searching in a nearby apartment complex when Moldovan was shot eight times, including once in the head.

Moldovan, who was 22 years old at the time, had only been on the force for nine months at the time. He survived but sustained serious injuries.

Moldovan has made a few public appearances in the years since the shooting, including throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Arizona Diamondbacks home opener in 2023, and again during the World Series at Chase Field later that year.

An emotional sentencing:

This was a very emotional sentencing, with several family members and police officers speaking out about the ways this shooting forever altered their lives.

All the victim impact statements focused on the physical and mental toll felt over the past five years, as Moldovan has undergone dozens of operations and more than half a dozen rehab programs. Moldovan did use a walker in court.

Moldovan’s parents, along with the parents of his wife Chelsea, spoke about the toll the shooting took on the young couple’s new marriage, with Chelsea taking on the role of nurse and caretaker as well as wife.

Moldovan’s mother did express forgiveness toward Williams, but the overall message was that the consequences needed to match the actions that nearly took Moldovan’s life.

During these statements, Williams shook his head and grinned several times.

What they’re saying:

During Williams’ trial earlier this year, Moldovan took the stand.

“When I was at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, my brother – sorry, my brother came to visit me. My brother came to visit me in Denver,” Moldovan said in court, sounding emotional at times. News cameras were not allowed to show Moldovan’s face during his testimony.

What’s next:

Map of where Moldovan was shot:

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