An Arkansas man who reportedly fired multiple shots at a Roland police officer last year and then fled on foot has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to a press release issued by District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp.
Denver W. Rowell, 23, was formally charged on July 31, 2023, with four felony counts of shooting with intent to kill, and additional charges of possession of firearm after former felony conviction, possessing a firearm during commission of felony, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Rowell appeared before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters last Monday, where he reportedly pled guilty to the shooting with intent to kill charges and was sentenced to serve 25 years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
According to the original probable cause affidavit filed in the case, at about 4 a.m. on July 29, 2023, Roland Police officer Brian Simpson saw a vehicle stopped on the side of U.S. Hwy. 64 on Ray Fine Blvd. with smoke coming out from under the hood, and stopped to offer assistance. The driver, later identified as Rowell, exited the vehicle and walked to the front of it, where he then raised a firearm and began firing the weapon at Simpson.
Rowell reportedly shot at Simpson eight times, striking the grill of the officer’s unit, while the officer took cover. Rowell continued to fire the weapon as he fled into a nearby wooded area as the officer called for backup, notifying his fellow officers that shots were being fired and the suspect was attempting to flee the scene.
Police set up a perimeter and began searching the area, but were unable to locate Rowell. Authorities later obtained information from Fort Smith investigators that led them to an acquaintance of Rowell’s on Towson Ave., where he once again fled authorities but was arrested following a short foot pursuit.
According to the release, during the pursuit Fort Smith police saw Rowell toss a bag he had been carrying that contained his wallet, state-issued identification card, and a 9mm handgun loaded with the same type of ammunition used to shoot at Simpson.
“I want to commend all of the investigators and officers from the Roland Police Department for their thorough and efficient investigation,” Thorp said. “I am incredibly thankful that Officer Simpson survived this encounter and was able to record the shooting on his dash camera. I would also like to thank the officers from Fort Smith who helped capture this violent criminal.”
Roland Assistant Police Chief Chris Waters said the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office notified him that the car Rowell was in was reported stolen about 30 minutes prior to the incident. Sebastian County Detention Center records also showed that Rowell had an active arrest warrant in Arkansas for parole violations.
“This was a very dangerous individual who showed no regard for human life, shooting at and trying to kill an officer who was simply offering help to a motorist stopped on the side of the road,” Thorp said. “This needlessly violent behavior is unacceptable in our communities. I’m grateful that justice was done, and this violent criminal will spend the next couple of decades in prison.”
Thorp said Rowell will be required to serve at least 85 percent of that sentence before he can be considered for parole.
