Man wanted for attempted murder after shooting 10-year-old arrested after police chase in Hesperia

HESPERIA, Calif. - A Victorville man wanted for attempted murder after shooting a 10-year-old girl who was asleep in her bed was arrested on Tuesday after leading police on a chase in Hesperia.

Just after midnight, deputies attempted to pull over a gray Toyota Camry for speeding down the 15 Freeway north of Ranchero Road.

The driver, later identified as 29-year-old Nicholas Antwone Bowden, failed to yield to the deputies, leading them on a high-speed pursuit. Authorities said at one point, Bowden turned off the vehicle’s headlights and continued driving erratically. Prior to the end of the pursuit, one of the tires on the Camry popped, causing Bowden to almost lose control of the car on multiple occasions. 

The vehicle eventually became disabled and Bowden was taken into custody, after leading deputies on a short foot pursuit.

Inside Bowden’s vehicle, there were four small children, who were not properly restrained, and an adult female passenger. Fortunately, police said, none of the passengers were injured. Deputies also located a loaded firearm in the vehicle. 

During the investigation, authorities learned that Bowden was the suspect in an attempted murder that occurred in Victorville. Investigators said Bowden fired a gun at a home in the 12500 block of Amethyst, just before 2:00 a.m. on September 4. A bullet from the gun struck a 10-year old girl in the foot as she slept in her bed and Bowden fled the scene. 

Bowden, a convicted felon, was arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center for evading a peace officer, child cruelty, attempted murder, assault with a firearm on a person, and felon in possession of a firearm. 

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy F. Demara or Deputy F. Trujillo at the Victorville Police Department at 760-241-2911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001.