By Staff Reporter |

A man who attempted to murder a Phoenix police officer was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday.

Essa Williams, 28, shot and critically wounded Officer Tyler Moldovan in the early morning hours of Dec. 14, 2021. 

Moldovan responded to reports of vehicles speeding and doing doughnuts around 2 a.m. One of those vehicles belonged to Williams. 

Williams shot Moldovan eight times, once in the head; reports reflect that he continued firing even after Moldovan was on the ground, and attempted to pull Moldovan’s handgun from his holster.

Moldovan was placed on life support; his recovery is considered a miracle. 

It is unclear how Williams was in public that December night. At the time of the shooting, Williams was a convicted felon freed after three years into a 23-year sentence for multiple counts of armed robbery and aggravated assault. 

For the attempted murder of Moldovan, Williams received two life sentences plus 25 years, and will be eligible for parole after 50 years. 

Williams smiled throughout his sentencing. In a 20-minute statement to the judge, Williams said that the shooting was justified and that the situation was “forced” onto him. Williams said the cops had targeted him because of his race. 

“I did nothing wrong and was hunted for their amusement,” said Williams. 

He expressed no remorse for shooting the officers, comparing them to the Ku Klux Klan. Williams said he should have been given a traffic stop and a warning or citation instead of being followed. 

“There was no ambush. Nothing about this was ever premeditated. There was never even a motive. I was never offered a plea, let alone a lesser charge, and I get it,” said Wiliams. “I’m certain freaking and spooking out black kids at 2:30 in the morning, that’s not their duty. That’s the duty of the Ku Klux Klan in a sundown town.” 

Erika LaRae Williams, Williams’ mother, has also gone to prison in connection with her son’s criminal activities. Erika bought Williams a firearm in the months following his release from prison in 2020, though that firearm was not the one Williams used to shoot Moldovan. Erika was sentenced to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release in 2023. 

Moldovan’s recovery is ongoing to this day. He has gone through eight neurological rehabilitation programs, four different hospitals, and nearly 20 outpatient doctors. 

Moldovan gave an impact statement at Williams’ sentencing in which he denounced Williams’ actions as “wicked and malicious.” Moldovan explained that it had been a dream of his since high school to become a police officer. Now, Moldovan said he struggles with basic tasks, and cannot do activities with his loved ones, like playing with his nieces and nephews or going camping with friends, without “significant” help.

The Moldovans also say they can never become parents because of the debilitating injuries Moldovan sustained.

“My life is vastly altered. I will never be the same because of this brutal and unnecessary attack,” said Moldovan. “The simplest everyday tasks present immense challenges. The constant burning and debilitating nerve pain only adds to the daily difficulties.” 

Moldovan said Williams was selfish and unrepentant. Williams smiled and nodded throughout Moldovan’s impact statement. 

“He wasn’t scared of the police, he was scared of facing the consequences of his unlawful and culpable actions. Because of his selfish behavior, I will live the rest of my life in agonizing pain and suffering,” said Moldovan. “He has a chance to rehabilitate and prove that he can be better while he was on probation for other violent offenses, but he has shown that he cannot. He is nothing but violent and a danger to society.”

Moldovan is working to heal to a point where he can rejoin the Phoenix Police Department.

Moldovan’s wife and high school sweetheart, Chelsea, has been his full-time caregiver since the attack. Chelsea was reportedly forced to resign from her job at a hospital, where she was working toward attending school to become a physician assistant. 

The Moldovans released a statement thanking God for Moldovan’s life, the community for its support, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for securing William’s conviction. 

“We are eternally grateful and blessed for mcaoaz’s amazing prosecution team that poured countless hours to bring forth justice. For @phoenixpolice’s support all these years as Tyler continues to give his all to be able to serve once again as your officer. For your support to our family and squad in the darkest days,” said the Moldovans. “And the greatest thank you of all to our dear family and friends. Who have showed up in more ways than we could describe. God knew who we would need in the midst of our greatest trial, our heaviest season. Thank you God for your goodness, faithfulness and everlasting love.”

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