[Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify Alexander Sinclair's employment status with the Cleveland Division of Police.]
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (WJW) -- A former Cleveland police officer who pleaded guilty to a shooting outside a local elementary school, was sentenced Wednesday, May 28, to 10 years in prison.
Alexander Sinclair, of Madison Township, was indicted in Lake County last year on charges of kidnapping, improperly discharging a firearm, abduction, aggravated robbery, violating a protection order and other charges.
Lake County court records show he pleaded guilty in April to charges of kidnapping, abduction, endangering children, assault and inducing panic. A judge at a Wednesday hearing sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
His maximum possible sentence was 28 years. Prosecutors sought 12 years, while Sinclair's defense attorneys asked for six years.
The shooting happened on Oct. 31 at Riverview Elementary School in Painesville.
Sinclair intentionally slammed his SUV into his wife's car while their child was in the backseat, then fired a gun into the vehicle. He was also accused of trying to wrest a gun from a sheriff's deputy who intervened.
In court, Sinclair’s attorneys did not deny the conduct, but argued it stemmed from an “emotional breakdown” after he discovered his wife was romantically involved with another man on their anniversary.
Sinclair spoke in court, calling the moment a “mistake” he’ll live with forever.
"In that emotional state, I made a mistake. ... If I could change things, I would. Sadly, I cannot," he said.
Sinclair, a sergeant with the Cleveland Division of Police, was relieved of duty and suspended without pay pending the outcome of his criminal case, the I-Team reported. He joined the department in 2015 and was assigned to the Fifth District.
He resigned from the force as part of his plea agreement, according to a city police spokesperson.