Man convicted of murder in 2010 killing of Gilbert police lieutenant

PHOENIX — An Arizona man was convicted in the killing of a Gilbert police lieutenant who was gunned down during a traffic stop nearly a decade ago.

A jury found Christopher Redondo guilty of first-degree murder Tuesday in the 2010 death of Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler, the Maricopa County Superior Court said in a tweet.

The penalty phase of the trial was underway Wednesday. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

If he was sentenced to death, Redondo would join 113 other men currently on death row in Arizona.

Police Chief Michael Soelberg said in a statement that “justice has finally been served.”

“As we await the sentencing phase of the trial to be completed, we take this time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our public safety servants each and every day,” he said.

Shuhandler was shot as he walked from his patrol car back to Redondo’s truck after learning that Redondo had an arrest warrant.

Redondo’s truck had been pulled over because it had a partially covered license plate.

Authorities say Redondo and Daimen Joseph Irizarry, who was driving Redondo’s truck, fled after the shooting.

Officers who responded to the shooting found Shuhandler gasping for breath. The 16-year police veteran was pronounced dead at a hospital.

During a 50-mile chase, police said during the trial, Redondo leaned from the passenger-side window of the truck and fired two gunshots at a police vehicle on U.S. 60. He also tossed wrenches, an air compressor tank and other objects at pursuing officers to get them to back off.

The chase ended in the mining community of Superior, about 65 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix.

Irizarry was taken into custody, but Redondo refused to surrender, so a police dog was sent to drag him toward officers.

Irizarry was sentenced to 107 years in prison for his convictions on drive-by shooting and aggravated assault charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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