Man accused of shooting officer returned to hospital for monitoring

PHOENIX – Phoenix Police Department officials say the man who shot a policewoman earlier in the month was referred to hospital for further follow-up.

On April 25, we reported that the man, identified as Nicholas Cowan, was taken to jail after being released from hospital. Cowan was in hospital for injuries he sustained in the first shooting.

“During the jail booking process, it was determined that Cowan should return to the hospital for monitoring,” read a statement released by Phoenix Police Sgt. Andy Williams on the morning of April 26. “He was not officially released into the custody of the MCSO before this happened.”

Filming took place on April 14

The incident that ultimately led to Cowan’s arrest happened on April 14, at a convenience store near Cave Creek and Beardsley Roads. At the store, officers said a woman called them, saying she had gone to the gas station to meet with officers and tell them about the situation because she was too scared to meet at her home.

“They were there for a while, talking to a lady. I turn my back when [I hear] shots, maybe 10 of them, and seeing an officer fall,” witness Gary Macagni said.

Witnesses saw one officer jump over the other for cover, but the damage was already done.

“They took an ambulance down the street over there, with about four or five police cars following the ambulance,” Gene Onstein said.

The shot officer, who was identified as 40-year-old Denise Bruce-Jones, was shot at least once in the stomach. Bruce-Jones, according to police, is also married to a Phoenix police officer and is a mother herself.

“This is a family of public servants in our community, who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving you,” Police Chief Jeri Williams said.

For a while, a blue alert was issued for Cowan. The alert was later cancelled.

Cowan arrested following barricade situation

Cowan was arrested following a barricade situation at a property near 66th Street and Osborn Road in Scottsdale.

Investigators received a tip that led them to the Scottsdale rental unit. It took several hours, but Cowan was taken into custody just before 8 p.m.

Cowan’s ex-girlfriend, identified as 33-year-old Nicole Montalbano, is in jail and charged with obstructing the prosecution.

Authorities arrested Montalbano at his home in Prescott Valley and found two cell phones in a toilet tank and in the trash. They also found blood-stained floor mats from his car and a box for a prepaid cell phone.

Chief Jeri Williams spoke to FOX 10 about getting justice for her injured officer.

“Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief because not only were we worried on behalf of the law enforcement community, but we also wanted to make sure we were protecting the community and getting this really bad actor off the streets. .”

According to court documents, someone picked him up after the shooting at a Phoenix apartment complex and took him to 59th Avenue and Camelback Road where his ex, Montalbano, allegedly picked him up. Investigators say her cellphone records followed her driving from Phoenix to Prescott on April 15 after picking up Cowan, but it’s unclear how he got back to Scottsdale where he was eventually found.

Phoenix police announced April 28 that Michael Hankins, 41, and Caroline Coster, 35, were also arrested and jailed. The couple are accused of helping Cowan evade authorities between April 14 and April 17.

Neighbors describe the situation of the barricades

“Well, my neighbor asked me, ‘Do you think this is the guy they’re looking for?’ I said, “Probably. So it’s too big,” said James Williams.

Williams says he was toast when he saw Phoenix police and tactical teams surround the rental property. He and other neighbors clearly remember hearing flashbangs and authorities trying to communicate with Cowan.

“Obviously we saw, drove, they looked for him and for him to be here, my kids are here. It’s so scary,” neighbor Alex Briseno said.

Chief Jeri Williams says the public and the law enforcement community are what helped find Cowan.

“If it weren’t for the number of councils that have been called in by members of our community as well as the partnership of numerous law enforcement agencies in the state and across the country, we wouldn’t might not have had that successful resolution that we had last night,” Chief Williams said.

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