The man who shot two Pima County deputies years ago will serve almost four decades in prison.
Jordyn Guadalupe Sanchez was sentenced to more than 37 and a half years on Tuesday, February 3.
Sanchez, 31, pled guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder, endangerment, and restricted firearm possession last month.
On December 21, 2023, Sanchez shot deputies Leonardo Wells and Jaylon McEuen during a domestic violence dispute at a residence near Shannon and Overton.
According to court filings, Sanchez went to his ex-girlfriend’s house, which had multiple children. The ex-girlfriend was not present, but her parents were minding the children.
Sanchez, who has restricted custody, allegedly stated that he was going to take the children. A witness said Sanchez appeared to be on drugs and walked to the house without a car to transport the kids.
When Sanchez was told that he could not take the children, he allegedly became confrontational. Sanchez was requested to leave the house, but he refused, prompting the children’s grandparents to phone 911.
Wells and McEuen showed up and attempted to persuade Sanchez to go amicably. He allegedly began arguing with them before pulling out a revolver and shooting both deputies. The deputies returned fire, striking Sanchez. Wells has been with the PCSD for two years, while McEuen has been there for one year.
Wells and McEuen were in court on Tuesday, testifying about the attack. One of the deputies was shot in the leg and freed three days after the incident; the other was injured in the back and released nearly a week later.
“It was gut-wrenching to see a person that almost killed you, and I think for both of us, we’re just happy to be able to give our opinions and our impact statements in court today,” McEuen told 13 News shortly afterwards.
Sanchez also testified at his sentencing hearing, alleging he was mentally sick and on amphetamine when he shot the deputies. He claimed to be sober and working on his mental health.
Sanchez has a lengthy criminal past and was charged with shooting a client at a Tucson smoke store on December 16, just five days before the deputies were hurt.
At a smoke store on the 910 block of East Fort Lowell, Sanchez allegedly engaged in a fight with another customer. Sanchez uttered a racial insult, and the shooting victim produced a knife. A witness claimed Sanchez then pulled out a revolver and shot the man in the upper thigh before fleeing.
Investigators stated the gun used in the smoke shop shooting was the same one used to shoot the deputies. They also allegedly discovered a knife at Sanchez’s home, similar to the one seized from the victim.
Sanchez was convicted of first-degree burglary in 2014, drug possession in 2017, and attempted possession of a lethal weapon as a prohibited possessor in 2019.
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