Deputy Samuel Aispuro, 43, was on his motorcycle, fully uniformed, waiting at a traffic light in West Covina when he was shot by 47-year-old Raymundo Duran. The incident occurred around 2:45 pm local time near the intersection of Barranca Street and North Garvey Avenue, as reported by KABC.
"He was sitting on a marked black and white police motorcycle in full uniform and he was shot in the back," Sheriff Robert Luna stated, as quoted by KABC. Reports indicate that there was no interaction between the two men before the shooting.
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The deputy's life was saved by his bulletproof vest, which stopped the bullet. After the shooting, Aispuro managed to radio for assistance before being rushed to the hospital. "I've been shot. It hit the vest. Let me get my notes… The vehicle went westbound on the 10 Freeway from Barranca. Garvey and Barranca," Aispuro communicated over the radio.
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Duran was apprehended on Monday night in San Diego for drunk driving, and was found to be in possession of a firearm. Fox News reporter Bill Melugin revealed that Duran has a significant criminal record.
According to Melugin, Duran is a recognized gang member with a violent past, including a manslaughter conviction in 2001 for fatally stabbing a coworker, a felony evading conviction in 2021, a conviction for possession of a firearm as a felon in 2022, and a DUI arrest in October. Duran also has several other misdemeanor arrests to his name. Charges against him are currently pending.
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This incident comes on the heels of another tragic event in September when a Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy was killed in an ambush. Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old field training officer, was shot outside the Palmdale Sheriff's Station at the corner of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q.
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Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin reported that Clinkunbroomer was "ambushed and shot in the back of his head while in his patrol car." The suspect, 29-year-old Kevin Cataneo Salazar, was arrested after a standoff and surrendered following the deployment of a chemical agent by law enforcement.
However, in a controversial move, Los Angeles's District Attorney George Gascon, known for his Marxist leanings, declined to seek the death penalty for Salazar, opting not to pursue the maximum punishment.