A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department motor patrol deputy was shot in the back Monday afternoon while he was stopped at a traffic light in West Covina, California.
Sheriff Robert Luna credits body armor for saving the life of Deputy Samuel Aispuro, 43, Fox News reports.
Aispuro, a 20 year veteran of the LASD, was in uniform and was riding a department-issued motorcycle at the time of the shooting, Luna said during a Monday night press conference. He was taken by ambulance to a medical center for treatment. The round did not penetrate the vest, and he is now recovering at home.
Sheriff Luna reported during a Tuesday press conference that a suspect is in custody. He identified the suspect as Raymundo Duran, 47.
Duran was arrested by the California Highway Patrol on suspicion of drunk driving in San Diego County. A firearm was found during the search of his vehicle. Sheriff Luna said ballistics matched the weapon to the attack on the deputy.
The suspect is in the San Diego County Jail.
Luna said Duran was a gang member and that he had :an extensive and violent criminal record. He declined to give examples of the crimes involved,
The sheriff praised his homicide unit for working tirelessly through the niight on the case. He also praised multiple units of his agency for their work on the case as well as the West Covina Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. He also thanked witnesses for their assistance.
"This was a very urgent matter for us when this occurred," he said.
