Man accused of shooting motorcycle deputy in West Covina charged; could get life in prison
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The man who allegedly shot a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy while he was stopped at a red light is facing several felonies that, if he’s convicted, could land him in prison for life.
Raymundo Duran, 47, is accused of shooting Deputy Samuel Aispuro, 43, in the back on Monday as Aispuro sat atop his motorcycle at a red light at Barranca and Garvey avenues in West Covina.
The bullet was stopped by Aispuro’s bulletproof vest, but the deputy was hospitalized. Sheriff Robert Luna said he has since been released.
Authorities say the deputy was on-duty and riding his motorcycle when he was shot. April 22, 2024. (KTLA) The scene at Barranca Street & Garvey Avenue where a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was shot in the chest on Monday, April 22, 2024. (KTLA) The wounded officer is seen being treated in an ambulance in West Covina, California on April 22, 2024. (KTLA) L.A. deputies seen during a manhunt in La Puente for a suspect that shot a deputy waiting at a stoplight on April 22, 2024. (KTLA)
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Duran will face charges of attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
He also faces a special allegation that he fired a gun while committing the crime.
“The senseless and unprovoked shooting of Deputy Samuel Aispuro is a stark reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face daily,” Gascón said in a news release. “Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting the offender to the fullest extent of the law. Our thoughts are with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Aispuro as he recovers from this tragic incident.”
Gang member with ‘violent criminal history’ shot deputy, sheriff says
Duran was arrested later that Monday but on an unrelated charge of DUI. California Highway Patrol officers pulled him over in San Clemente and booked him in San Diego County on a gun charge in addition to the DUI.
On Tuesday, Luna said L.A. County detectives interviewed Duran while he was in custody and confirmed him as the suspected shooter.
“He has a very extensive criminal history, a violent criminal history … He had no business having a firearm in his possession with this criminal history,” Luna said Tuesday.
Lt. Davis with the Covina Police Department confirmed to KTLA that Duran was previously the subject of a police pursuit in 2021 after a hit-and-run collision. He also had a warrant for a parole violation.
Duran is still being held in San Diego County, and Los Angeles County officials want him held without bail due to the severity of the charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
“The brazen actions of this career criminal have threatened public safety in our communities and underscores the urgent need to hold this coward fully accountable,” Luna said in Wednesday’s news release. “Such incidents painfully remind us of the daily risks our deputies face when wearing the uniform and protecting our community.”
Elizabeth Chapman contributed to this report.
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