Man convicted of trying to kill Oakland cop

A man has been convicted of attempted murder for shooting an Oakland police officer during a crime spree.

Nathaniel Joseph Cook, 32, was found guilty Thursday by an Alameda County Superior Court jury of trying to kill Officer D’Vour Thurston on Jan. 25, 2013. A sanity phase in his trial begins Monday. The result will determine whether he will be sent to prison or to a state mental hospital.

Cook shot the officer in the leg near 49th Avenue and East 12th Street in East Oakland. Thurston retired from the department after the shooting.

The shooting happened moments after Cook had robbed a man of his bike at gunpoint, fired shots at another man who tried to stop him and then attempted to carjack a cabdriver, authorities said.

The jury also convicted Cook of attempted murder of the second victim, who wasn’t hit by the gunfire, and robbery.

After shooting Thurston, Cook ran away, police said.

Despite being shot, Thurston ran after him and was joined by Officer Rochard Holton, who fired a shot at Cook. Cook wasn't hit but gave up, police said.

Cook’s attorney, Barbara Thomas, said Saturday that her client suffered from “effects of previous drug use” and that “he was overcome with fear and was fleeing before all this started. He had no intent to do anything but get to safety.”

“It is a sad example of society’s lack of concern for its more vulnerable citizens,” she said.

Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee