Phoenix Officer Shot While Investigating Report Of Domestic Violence

PHOENIX, AZ — A Phoenix police officer was shot and wounded Thursday morning while investigating a report of domestic violence, according to Phoenix police.

The officer, who has not been publicly identified, was being treated Thursday afternoon at Honor Health Deer Valley. The officer is a 24-year veteran of the department and is married to another Phoenix police officer, Chief Jeri Williams said during a news conference.

"We're hopeful and prayerful she’ll pull through just fine," Williams said.

As of Thursday afternoon, the suspected shooter, Nicholas Cody Cowan, was still on the loose. The light blue 2012 Toyota Prius he had been driving was found near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Greenway Road.

Police described the suspected shooter as a white man in his mid-30s, who is 6 feet tall and weighs around 215 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hat, white t-shirt and black shorts. The man has tattoos on his neck and is possibly bleeding.

During the news conference, police repeatedly reminded the public not to approach the suspected shooter, who police said is armed, but to call 911 if you spot him.

Williams described him as a, "very dangerous individual."

The shooting happened at a busy gas station near 27th Street and Beardsley Road in north Phoenix, police said.

Police met a woman who was in a romantic relationship with the suspected shooter at the gas station, because she was afraid of confrontation that would happen if they came to her home to discuss her report of domestic violence, Williams said.

The suspected shooter then showed up at the gas station and fired multiple shots at the officers, hitting one of them, police said. Then one officer returned fire and the man fled, police said.

Police were working Thursday afternoon to find him.

"I am confident we will find this man," Williams said.

The chief during the news conference expressed extreme frustration at the number of Phoenix officers who have been shot or injured on the job already this year.

"I’m angry, I’m tired and I’m frustrated," Williams said.

She added that eight Phoenix police officers had been shot and 13 injured while on the job so far this year.

This is a breaking story, Patch will update it as more information becomes available.