Raymundo Duran, a 47-year-old suspected gang member, was apprehended on Tuesday, April 23, on suspicion of various crimes. Authorities believe he shot a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in the back while the motorcycle officer was stopped at a red light in West Covina the previous day.
The California Highway Patrol arrested Duran near the San Onofre Inspection facility in San Diego County on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and weapons possession. Duran was found in a 2008 four-door Toyota Camry and a firearm was discovered in the car.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives identified Duran as a suspect based on statements he made, surveillance footage from the shooting scene, witness accounts, and the weapon recovered by CHP officers.
Deputy Samuel Aispuro, 43, was released from the hospital and is recovering at home, Sheriff Robert Luna said. He was on duty and in training when he was shot on Monday afternoon while riding his marked motorcycle on Barranca Avenue near East Garvey Avenue North. The bullet did not penetrate his bulletproof vest.
Aispuro, who has served with the department for 19 and a half years, is married with children ages 4 and 2.
Duran has an extensive and violent criminal history. He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of several offenses, including being a felon carrying a loaded firearm, driving under the influence of alcohol, and having a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent or higher. His bail was set at $1.025 million.
Luna expressed gratitude to the West Covina police, the CHP, sheriff’s detectives and deputies, and the witnesses who provided immediate assistance after the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.
