On April 14, 2022, at about 10:15 a.m., Phoenix Police responded to a suicidal person call at a gas station near Cave Creek Road and Beardsley Road. Officers contacted the adult female caller who stated she left her home and came to the gas station to call police to avoid a confrontation with her boyfriend. The woman told officers her boyfriend, Nicholas Cowan, had committed several criminal acts, and attempted to commit suicide. She said he also made threats to shoot it out with the police if they were called.
While the officers were speaking to the woman, Cowan arrived at the gas station in a vehicle. As an officer was walking toward Cowan, he fired a handgun from inside the vehicle, striking the officer. A backup officer responded to the threat and returned fire while the suspect continued shooting, now at the backup officer.
Cowan fled the area in his vehicle, which was later located unoccupied. Detectives are actively working to locate and arrest Cowan.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery and is recovering.
No other citizens or officers were injured during this incident.
Police advise members of the public to not approach Cowan as he is considered armed and dangerous.
.@SilentwitnessAZ has announced a reward of $5,000 for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of Nicholas Cowan. Please call (480)-WITNESS or (480)-TESTIGO for Spanish. You will remain anonymous. https://t.co/gCMkc5LGSa
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) April 15, 2022
The Phoenix Police Department is urging anyone with information about Cowan’s whereabouts to call 911 or 480(WITNESS) if you wish to remain anonymous. Silent Witness has approved a possible $5,00 reward for information leading to an arrest in this incident.