PHOENIX—Luis Aldana (D.O.B. 1/2/1988) has been convicted on several charges stemming from an incident during which he shot at an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper. Charges included Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, Drive-By Shooting and Misconduct Involving Weapons. The defendant was on Community Supervision release from the Arizona Department of Corrections at the time he committed these offenses and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
“The defendant made an extremely depraved decision when he sought to end the life of a law enforcement officer to avoid arrest,” said County Attorney Allister Adel. “The jury’s finding of guilt on all charges makes our community a safer place and sends the message that violence toward law enforcement will not be tolerated.”
On March 2, 2017, the DPS Trooper conducted a traffic stop on the defendant for illegally dark window tint. The defendant had a warrant for absconding from community supervision—which the officer would later learn—and was armed with a gun. Because the trooper could not see inside the car, he did not approach it, instead positioning himself at his own driver’s side door, at which point, Aldana fired multiple shots at the trooper, attempting to kill him. The trooper was able to return fire and shot the defendant in the shoulder. Fortunately, the trooper was not physically injured but felt the impact of a bullet hitting the driver’s door where he was positioned. The defendant fled the scene but was apprehended by Phoenix Police about two and a half hours after the shooting.
Sentencing in this case is scheduled for February 21, 2020.