A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy was shot in the back while stopped at a red light in West Covina on Monday, April 22nd. The deputy, identified as 43-year-old Samuel Aispuro, is in stable condition after being rushed to a local hospital. According to LASD Sheriff Robert Luna, Aispuro was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of the shooting, which is credited with saving his life.
The shooting occurred just before 3 p.m. near Interstate 10 at the intersection of North Barranca Street and East Garvey Avenue. Aispuro was in uniform and riding a department-issued motorcycle when he was shot. Luna said during a press conference that the suspect remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities are searching for a white sedan with tinted windows last seen heading west on Interstate 10 from Barranca Street. Investigators have not yet determined how many shots were fired at the deputy.
Sheriff Luna urged anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect’s whereabouts to contact the sheriff’s department. “You are our eyes and ears out there,” Luna said, according to the Times. “That’s why we need information coming forward, so we can look at every angle. … Our intent is we’re going to catch them, but we need your help.”
Aispuro has been with LASD for nearly two decades and is married with two young children.
