In a tragic turn of events on January 9, 2018, Marcel Cowans, a 23-year-old Black / African American male, was found shot to death in a parked car in west Phoenix. He and another man, Frederick Eriven, were discovered near Desert Star Park in the vicinity of 87th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard. The discovery sent ripples of grief through their families and the wider community, leaving loved ones to grapple with the sudden and violent loss.
Marcel's parents later described him as a man with a big heart who served as a reassuring voice for his family. His mother, Tracy Cowans, expressed her profound loss, stating she would never again be able to speak to or touch her only son.
The investigation into the deaths of Marcel Cowans and Frederick Eriven revealed a sinister plot. Phoenix police determined that the two men had been lured to the location under the false pretense of a drug transaction. The true motive, however, was robbery. The subsequent investigation identified three individuals responsible for the heinous crime: Julian Perry, who was 20 at the time, Paul Grant, then 18, and David Reyes, also 18. According to police, Perry was the one who entered the vehicle and shot both Cowans and Eriven. Grant acted as a lookout and participated in robbing the victims of their personal belongings, while Reyes served as the getaway driver.
In March 2018, the dedicated work of law enforcement led to the arrests of Julian Perry, Paul Grant, and David Reyes. They were booked on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery. The investigation also connected the trio to another fatal shooting in the same area. Justice for the victims and their families saw a significant step forward in October 2022 when Julian Perry, then 25, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murders. Prior to this, in 2019, David Reyes had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The case against Paul Grant was reported to be still pending.
