Man accused of shooting Mount Vernon officer Mike McClaughry found guilty

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. -- The man accused of shooting Mount Vernon police officer Mike McClaughry during a standoff in 2016 was found guilty of attempted murder Thursday.

The jury found Ernesto Rivas guilty of two charges of attempted murder and four counts of assault with a deadly weapon in the first degree.

Prosecutors opened the trial by calling the shooting an unprovoked attack on an officer.

“Officer McClaughry says 'Ernie, we just want to talk to you,' he turns away – he’s looking down – and while he’s looking there… he’s shot,” said a member of the prosecution earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the defense blamed the shooting on gang members who were with Rivas.

McClaughry was shot in the head and is now permanently blind.

Before the trial, McClaughry spoke about the challenges he continues to face since being shot, saying:

Sentencing will be decided at a later date, but Rivas faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.