Suspect in shooting of Phoenix officer hospitalized again after trip to jail

PHOENIX – Nicholas Cowan, the suspect in the shooting of a police officer in Phoenix earlier this month, was taken back to a hospital Tuesday morning after he was discharged the previous night and taken to jail, authorities said.

Cowan, 35, was being booked on multiple charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Phoenix Police Department said in a press release Tuesday morning.

A follow-up press release said Cowan had to be taken back to the hospital for monitoring. The booking process wasn’t yet completed, and he hadn’t been officially turned over to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office custody, police said.

Cowan was initially hospitalized after police took him into custody on April 17. He was apprehended following an hourslong standoff at a Scottsdale rental property, ending a manhunt that spanned four days.

On April 14, Cowan allegedly opened fire on two police officers who were responding to a domestic violence call at a gas station in north Phoenix.

One officer was hit by gunfire and the other returned fire, wounding Cowan before he fled the scene, according to police.

Police say Cowan received help from multiple people as he eluded authorities for about 80 hours.

One person has been arrested for helping Cowan so far. Nicole Montalbano, 34, of Prescott Valley, was booked into jail on April 16 for hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

The wounded officer is a 24-year veteran of the force. She underwent surgery after the shooting and has been recovering from her injuries.

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