Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan is fighting for his life after being shot multiple times in the line of duty on Tuesday. A suspect, 24-year-old Essa Williams, is in custody in connection with the devastating attack.
Just after 2:00 a.m., officers received multiple calls about vehicles driving erratically in the area of 19th Avenue and Camelback Road. Officers located a car matching the description of one of the vehicles parked at an apartment complex in the area of 15th Avenue and Camelback Road. There was no one in the car.
As officers searched the surrounding area, Officer Moldovan found the 24-year-old Williams hiding behind a short wall of an apartment patio. Officer Moldavan began giving commands to Williams, who then pulled out a gun and began shooting. Officer Moldovan was struck by multiple bullets.
Other officers on the scene heard the gunfire and ran in that direction. They were able to take Williams into custody without further incident. No officers discharged their weapons. Officer Moldovan was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he remains in extremely critical condition.
Williams was booked into the Maricopa County Jail for numerous charges to include Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Possession of a Weapon by Prohibited Person, and Resisting Arrest.
Officer Moldovan graduated the Phoenix Regional Police Academy in March of this year and just turned 22-years-old last month. Officer Moldovan is married, his parents and brother also live in Arizona.