Los Angeles County Mounted Police Ambushed, Gang Members Arrested

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced on Tuesday that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) had arrested a gang member who had shot at a police officer’s back at a traffic light in West Covina.

According to the Los Angeles Times, on Monday around 2:45 p.m., 43-year-old Deputy Samuel Aispuro of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) was shot at while at the intersection of Barranca Street and East Garvey Avenue. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and was in stable condition after being taken to the hospital. Currently, he is doing well at home.

Aispuro called for help via radio, triggering a large-scale search operation. On Monday evening, CHP arrested 47-year-old Raymundo Duran at the San Onofre inspection station for suspected driving under the influence and carrying a loaded firearm while driving a silver Toyota Camry.

“We did a lot of excellent investigative work, and in the end, all the clues were connected,” Luna stated. The homicide detectives working on the case later questioned Duran at the San Diego County Jail.

Based on the suspect’s statements, surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and the firearm confiscated by CHP, the detectives firmly believe Duran is the shooting suspect. Duran’s bail is set at $1 million, and the weapon found by CHP is undergoing forensic examination.

Luna mentioned that Duran is a known gang member with an extensive criminal record but declined to disclose the gang’s name. “He has a very violent history…He is not qualified to possess firearms.” More details regarding Duran’s motive and case specifics will be revealed after court proceedings.

The Sheriff expressed gratitude to the witnesses who immediately assisted the injured officer, stating, “Ultimately, the information they provided became crucial; in our eyes, you are heroes.”