Modesto man sentenced to 35 years to life for shooting at police officer in 2023
A Modesto man who shot at a police officer during a 2023 pursuit has been sentenced to 35 years to life in prison.
Gordon Massey, 31, was sentenced June 20 by Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Jeff Mangar following his conviction for several felonies including premeditated attempted murder of a peace officer.
The charges stem from a June 3, 2023, incident in which Modesto police Officer Raihil Sharma attempted to stop Massey, who was riding a bicycle near Phoenix and Glendale avenues. The department has not disclosed the reason for the stop.
According to police and body-worn camera footage released by the department, Massey initially cooperated but fled once Sharma ran his name through the patrol vehicle’s computer and discovered outstanding warrants for DUI and drug offenses.
During the roughly two-minute pursuit, Massey fired five shots at Sharma, striking the headrest of the front passenger seat in his patrol car. Sharma returned fire out his window, hitting Massey in the arm. Massey was arrested after crashing his bicycle in an alley and was treated at a hospital before being booked into jail.
Officers recovered a stolen .45 caliber handgun at the scene, along with methamphetamine found in Massey’s possession.
A Stanislaus County jury convicted Massey in October 2024 of attempted murder of a police officer, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and drug possession while armed. He also faced firearm enhancements on several of the charges.
In a statement provided to The Bee, Modesto Police Chief Brandon Gillespie said: “We are grateful that justice was served in this case. The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the attack on Officer Sharma, who showed extraordinary courage in the face of life-threatening danger. This incident is a stark reminder of the risks our officers face daily while serving this community.
“We want to thank the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office for their commitment to this case, as well as all the investigators and staff who worked tirelessly to bring it to resolution. Our department remains proud of Officer Sharma’s bravery, and we are thankful he survived this unprovoked and violent assault.”
