PHOENIX — Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced today that Nicholas Cowan (DOB 02/1987) has been sentenced to 68 years in prison for shooting a Phoenix Police Officer in April 2022.
Violent Shooting Incident at Gas Station
Two officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from Cowan’s girlfriend, who reported that he was suicidal and had threatened a shootout if police were called. She met officers at a gas station near Cave Creek and Beardsley Roads, where she disclosed that Cowan had assaulted her the day before but she had escaped that morning.
As they spoke, Cowan drove into the parking lot, rolled down his passenger-side window, and fired 11 shots at the officers. One officer was hit in the stomach, while the other officer, unharmed, returned fire as Cowan fled. The girlfriend was not injured.
Cowan then led authorities on a three-day manhunt, ending in a standoff and arrest in Scottsdale.
Charges and Conviction
A jury found Cowan guilty of the following offenses:
- Two counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer (Class 2 Felony)
- Two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (Class 2 Felony)
- Drive-By Shooting (Class 2 Felony)
- Aggravated Assault (Class 3 Felony)
Cowan was sentenced to 68 years in prison for these crimes.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell’s Statement
“Make no mistake, this defendant had every intention of killing these officers when he opened fire,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “My office stands behind our members of law enforcement and will vigorously prosecute anyone who means to do them harm. This incident could have ended in the death of an officer, and I’m thankful everyone survived.”
Additional Charges Pending
Cowan is also awaiting sentencing for attacking a detention officer at the 4th Avenue Jail in December 2023. A jury found him guilty of:
- Aggravated Assault (Class 3 Felony)
- Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felony)
His sentencing for that case is scheduled for March 21, 2025.
