Gang member tied to West Covina shooting of deputy is arrested just south of Orange County, sheriff says

The deputy, who was in uniform and riding a sheriff's motorcycle, was shot in the back on Monday in West Covina.

A 47-year-old suspected gang member was in custody on Tuesday, April 23, on suspicion of various crimes and authorities say they believe he also shot a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in the back as the motorcycle officer was stopped at a red light in West Covina the day before.

The California Highway Patrol arrested Raymundo Duran on suspicion of driving drunk and a weapons possession near the San Onofre Inspection facility in San Diego County, Sheriff Robert Luna said during a Tuesday press conference held at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.

Duran was found in the area, just south or Orange County, parked in a 2008 four-door Toyota Camry, the sheriff said, and CHP officers discovered a firearm in the car.

Sheriff’s homicide detectives found out about the arrest, headed to San Diego County and interviewed Duran in jail. It is unclear what evidence led them to focus on Duran.

“Based on statements obtained from Raymundo Duran, surveillance footage from the shooting scene in the city of West Covina, witness statements obtained by homicide detectives and the firearm recovered by CHP officers, our detectives strongly believe that Raymundo Duran is the suspect involved in the shooting of our deputy,” Luna said.

Deputy Samuel Aispuro, 43, was released from the hospital and is recovering at home, Luna said.

The motive behind the shooting was unclear.

Aispuro was on training on Monday while on duty. He had on his uniform and was riding a marked sheriff’s motorcycle on southbound Barranca Avenue near East Garvey Avenue North when he was shot around 2:45 p.m.

The bullet did not penetrate the deputy’s bulletproof vest, Luna said, saving his life.

Aispuro, who works out of the sheriff’s Century Station, has been with the department for 19 and a half years. He is married and has children ages 4 and 2.

Duran was booked Monday night at the San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of being a felon carrying a loaded firearm, carrying a loaded firearm while in public, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, booking records show. He remained in custody there as of Tuesday afternoon.

His bail on those charges was $1.025 million.

Duran is from Los Angeles County and has an extensive and violent criminal history, Luna said.

Luna thanked West Covina police, the CHP, sheriff’s detectives and deputies. He also thanked the witnesses who came forward immediately after the deputy was shot.

“In our eyes, you (witnesses) are heroes,” he said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.