Suspect arrested in connection to shooting of Los Angeles County deputy in West Covina
A man accused of ambushing and shooting a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy in West Covina has been arrested.
In a Tuesday afternoon news conference, Sheriff Robert Luna said 47-year-old Raymundo Duran was arrested for attempted murder and is in custody for the shooting of Deputy Samuel Aispuro.
Aispuro was waiting at a traffic light at the intersection of N. Barranca Avenue and E. Garvey Avenue South around 2:45 p.m. on Monday when he was shot in the back. Authorities said his bulletproof vest likely saved his life.
Aispuro, a nearly 20-year veteran of the department, was treated at a nearby hospital after being hit by the bullet. The round did not penetrate the deputy's bulletproof vest, according to the sheriff.
"Based on the examination of his vest, he was struck once," Luna said at an early evening briefing at the shooting scene.
Luna said during Tuesday's news conference that officers from the Border Division California Highway Patrol arrested Duran on suspicion of drunk driving and weapons possession charge after finding a firearm in Duran's 2008 silver Camry sedan.
He was booked into the San Diego County sheriff's jail, where LASD homicide detectives interviewed Duran. Based on statements from Duran, surveillance footage from the West Covina shooting scene, witness statements and the recovered firearm, Duran was linked to the crime.
"Our detectives strongly believe that Raymundo Duran is the suspect involved in the shooting of out deputy in the city of West Covina," Luna said. "They took a very dangerous person off the road."
He also said Duran has a very extensive violent criminal history and is a known gang member.
Deputy Aispuro is currently recovering at the hospital and is listed in stable condition.
Supervisor Janice Hahn said that Aispuro, 43 years old, was in West Covina for training.
"This could have been so much worse, and it is a reminder to all of us that our deputies put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities," Hahn said in a statement.
Deputy Aispuro has been with the sheriff's department for nearly 20 years and is married with two children ages 4 and 2.
"We'll take care of the family; that's our priority," the LA County Sheriff's Department said.
Homicide investigators continued investigating the shooting Monday evening with the assistance of the West Covina Police Department to locate and arrest the suspect responsible for shooting Aispuro.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact LASD's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to LA Crime Stoppers through their website or by phone at 1(800) 222-8477.
