Man will serve up to 73 years in prison for shooting state trooper in Aliquippa

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — A man has received his sentence for shooting a state trooper at a Beaver County convenience store last year.

Damian Bradford, 42, will serve up to 73 years in prison for the crime.

>>> Troopers, good Samaritans recognized for response to 2022 shooting at Aliquippa convenience store

Channel 11′s Gabriella DeLuca spent the day in court and heard from the trooper’s family.

The shooting happened on July 29, outside of Franklin Mini-Mart in Aliquippa — when Trooper Jonnie Schooley and another officer tried to stop Bradford from hurting another man.

There was a struggle, and Bradford fired a shot — hitting Trooper Schooley in the leg.

Bradford’s defense attorney, Bill Difenderfer, argued that he believes the gunshot was an accidental discharge — and that the judge should impose a lighter sentence.

Ultimately, the judge disagreed and said that the public needs to be protected from Bradford.

We also heard from the defendant, who apologized to the state trooper, and told him him that he’s not a monster.

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