PHOENIX — The FBI has joined the Phoenix Police Department in the search for the driver of a Prius who was involved in a police shooting that left a female officer injured Thursday morning, the department said.
The suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Nicholas Cody Cowan last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts with tattoos on his neck and possibly bleeding, the department said. He was last seen near the area of 3rd Avenue and Greenway Road.
The light blue Prius the suspect was driving has been found, officers said. The shooting happened near Loop 101 by the intersection of Cave Creek and Beardsley roads.
EN ESPAÑOL: Autoridades encontraron el Prius, buscan al presunto conductor tras un tiroteo con la policía de Phoenix
Officers originally arrived to the scene to reports of a domestic violence situation, where a woman asked to meet police at a gas station because she was afraid of a confrontation, department Chief Jeri Williams said.
The woman claimed Cowan had attempted to commit suicide and threatened to shoot cops if the woman called the police.
While the officers were speaking to the woman, Cowan arrived at the gas station in a vehicle. Police said as an officer was walking toward Cowan, he allegedly fired a handgun from inside the vehicle, striking the officer.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery and is recovering. As of Sunday, the officer remains in intensive care but is stable.
Officials said the officer comes from a family of public servants. She and her husband, who is also a police officer, have dedicated their lives to protecting the community.
Police believe Cowan was injured from the gunfire exchange with officers and could need medical attention.
Watch the full Phoenix Police Department press conference here:
The FBI is contributing $25,000 to the reward, bringing the total to $35,000.
Anyone with information on the driver is asked not to approach and call 911, the department said.
This is a developing story. Tune into 12 News for the latest information.
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Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.