January 6, 2025
Oakland, CA – Today, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announced that Nathaniel McCowan (49) has been charged in the deadly freeway shooting of his wife. Prosecutors charged Mr. McCowan with one count of murder, one count of corporal injury to a relationship partner, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon with priors, all felonies. The murder count also includes a special allegation for personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury. In addition, the charges include a special allegation 2-strikes (one prior) for a previous conviction. It is further alleged that Mr. McCowan is ineligible for probation.
The criminal complaint alleges that on or about the early morning of February 26, 2023, Mr. McCowan shot and killed his wife on the eastbound shoulder of the I-580 freeway near the Edwards Avenue offramp. Officers with the California Highway Patrol responded to the location and identified the victim, who died at the scene.
If convicted and sentenced of all charges, Nathaniel McCowan faces up to 56 years to life in prison. Mr. McCowan is scheduled to be arraigned on January 7, 2025, in Department 112, at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
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Contact: damedia@acgov.org
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (ACDAO) is one of the largest prosecutor’s offices in the State of California. Our office receives more than 40,000 cases presented by law enforcement for charging each year. The ACDAO has 9 locations, 150 Attorneys, 35 Victim-Witness Advocates, 75 Inspectors, and 130 Operations Staff Members who are committed to administering justice for every person who lives, works, or plays in Alameda County, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, or zip code