Manhunt Underway for Man Who Shot Phoenix Officer

The Phoenix Police Department have initiated a massive manhunt for the driver of a Prius who shot a female officer injured Thursday morning.

The shooting occurred at a gas station off of the Loop 101 near the intersection of Cave Creek and Beardsley roads.

The suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Nicholas Cody Cowan. He’s 6 feet tall and weighs 215 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hat, white t-shirt and black shorts and has tattoos on his neck. Officers say he could be possibly bleeding.


Cowan was last seen near the area of 3rd Avenue and Greenway Road, approximately 5 miles from where the shooting occurred. The car driven by the suspect was located but the suspect remains on the loose. The Blue Alert was activated around 4 p.m. on Thursday triggering alarms on cellphones in the Valley. The Blue Alert is a system that DPS can use that alerts the community of a dangerous criminal on the loose who assaulted a law enforcement officer.

Officers were called out to the scene with a report of a domestic violence situation. The woman told officers she left her house and went to the gas station because she was afraid of a potential confrontation. The woman claimed that Cowan had committed several criminal acts, attempted to commit suicide and also threatened to shoot cops if she called the police.

As the officers were speaking to the woman, Cowan drove into the gas station parking lot. As the officer started walking toward Cowan, he allegedly shot a handgun from inside the vehicle, hitting the officer.

One officer returned fire on the suspect as he left the gas station parking lot.

The wounded officer was taken to HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center where she underwent surgery to remove the bullet. She is stable condition.

Phoenix Police Department Chief Jeri Williams said the officer is a mother and a 24-year veteran whose husband is also on the force.

“I am confident we will find this man,” Chief Williams said during a press briefing.

Anybody with information to the whereabouts of  Nicholas Cody Cowan is asked to call 911. Police ask that you do not approach the man as he is considered armed and dangerous. Silent Witness is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Cowan.