PHOENIX – A man who was accused of multiple charges in connection with the shooting of Phoenix Police officer Tyler Moldovan has been found guilty.
What we know:
Officials with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office say Essa Williams was found guilty on Aug. 13 of the following:
- One count of attempted murder
- Two counts of aggravated assault
The backstory:
The shooting of Tyler Moldovan happened in December 2021. At the time, Moldovan and his police 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.
Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan
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 following the shooting, which included 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.
The trial for Williams began on July 15, and Moldovan also took the stand during the trial.
“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 they’re saying:
“The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is grateful that a jury found Essa Williams guilty on all counts for the brutal and calculated shooting of Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan in 2021. Officer Moldovan was shot repeatedly and left fighting for his life simply because he put on a uniform and went to work protecting this community. His survival is nothing short of a miracle, but no verdict can undo what was done to him or erase the physical and emotional toll that Tyler and his family will carry for the rest of their lives.
This verdict sends an unmistakable message: those who deliberately attack and attempt to murder police officers must be held fully accountable. There can be no excuses or minimizing the violence that overshadows the suffering of Tyler and his family whose lives were forever changed.
Tyler Moldovan represents the courage and sacrifice we ask of our police officers every single day. Today, after years of waiting, a jury delivered the accountability that Tyler, his family, his fellow officers, and this community deserved,” Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) President Darrell Kriplean said.
The other side:
During the trial, Williams’ attorney claimed self-defense, arguing that a disorganized police squad botched the response to a minor traffic call. They say Moldovan approached Williams in the dark without backup, never identified himself as police, and grabbed him, causing Williams to react out of fear.
What’s next:
Officials with the Maricopa County Superior Court say the aggravation phase of Williams’ trial will take place on the afternoon of August 25.
The Source: Information for this article was gathered from a statement issued by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and from a FOX 10 news report that was published on July 15, 2026.