Man sentenced 50 years to life for 2022 shooting of Mountain View police officer during traffic stop

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- A Union City man was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison after being found guilty earlier this year of attempted murder and other charges for shooting a Mountain View police officer during a 2022 DUI stop, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

A Santa Clara County jury convicted 37-year-old Jeffrey Choy of seven felony charges in May, including attempted murder, in connection with the July 2022 shooting near downtown Mountain View.

Authorities said the shooting happened after midnight during a traffic stop, when Choy opened fire at close range while out on bail for other crimes.

"This case and this finding is about justice for our officer. And it is about healing for our officer, our department, and our community," Chief Michael Canfield said following the verdict.

Officials acknowledged the time it took to reach a conclusion in the case.

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"Justice delayed in this case was very frustrating, but thankfully, justice was not denied," Santa Clara Co. Deputy District Attorney Marisa McKeown said.

According to prosecutors, body camera footage showed the routine start of the stop before it quickly escalated.

The officer was shot in the arm and struck in his bulletproof vest. McKeown said the video evidence and the officer's testimony were critical to the case.

"He walked up during a routine traffic stop and was shot without warning by a violent criminal right in the chest. This is a repeat offender. He's a three-striker. He was out on bail, and he is not allowed to even have a firearm, let alone shoot a police officer with it," McKeown said.

The courtroom was filled to standing-room-only capacity in May, including Mountain View Police Department personnel and the officer who was shot.

Canfield described the officer as experienced with training in tactical operations and investigations, as well as a military background. The officer has since returned to duty.

"The presence of our department, our officers, our professional staff supporting our officer really says a lot about our organization, says a lot about our community and how important this case is for for all of us -- obviously for that officer, but for the healing of the entire department," Canfield said.