A convicted felon has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for what a prosecutor said was an ambush attack on Phoenix police officers.

Devonte Thornton had pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault in April, and his sentencing was announced Wednesday by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

“The officers were inches away from death,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said.

“We know that the work of a police officer is dangerous as they put themselves in harm’s way, but this was not just being in harm’s way; this was an attempt against their lives.”

On March 13, 2022, Thornton, along with an accomplice, led the officers to a nearby apartment complex at 27^th and Maryland avenues, the MCAO release stated.

Thornton stepped out of the apartment complex and shot at the officers, authorities said, adding 18 shell casings were recovered at the scene.

The passenger officer was hit by one of the bullets in his right arm.

During sentencing, prosecutor Dan Fisher “emphasized to the court that this was an ambush attack on uniformed police officers who could have easily been killed,” the release stated.

Thornton had a previous felony conviction from Missouri that made him a prohibited possessor at the time of the offense.

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