PHOENIX — Two men accused of ambushing and shooting a Phoenix police officer have been indicted on multiple assault and kidnapping charges. A third teen suspect is still being processed.
The shooting happened during an attempted carjacking near 35th and Southern avenues on March 29 and left the officer in the hospital for some time, according to a press release from the Maricopa County Attorney's office.
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17-year-old Mathew Rodriguez, 19-year-old Jamiah Mower and a third unnamed teenager approached two women who were getting into their car. Rodriguez and Mower allegedly pulled out guns and demanded the car from the women.
Off-duty Phoenix Police Officer Harold Boswell was alerted of the situation and approached, only for Rodriguez and Mower to open fire on him before he could get near, the MCAO said.
Boswell was struck and hospitalized. Rodriguez was arrested the day after the shooting, and Mower was arrested in Las Vegas a few days later. Rodriguez is being charged as an adult.
Rodriguez and Mower were indicted on the following felony charges:
- One count of attempt to commit armed robbery
- Two counts of aggravated assault
- One count of aggravated assault
- One count of kidnapping
- One count of unlawful discharge of a firearm
If convicted, both of them would face a lengthy prison sentence.
“Officer Boswell is a hero who was trying to help two victims being threatened at gunpoint,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “These defendants are a young adult and a juvenile facing very serious felonies but the danger to Officer Boswell and the victims cannot be understated.”
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