L.A. deputy shot in back saved by bullet-proof vest; shooter still at large

A nearly 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is recovering at the hospital after being shot in the back in West Covina while sitting on his patrol motorcycle, in uniform at a stoplight on Monday, and the search for the shooter continues.

The incident unfolded at around 2:45 p.m. in the area of Barranca and Garvey avenues, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference later Monday evening.

“What kind of person shoots another person in the back? I can think of a lot of names for that. I won’t describe them right now, but if you’re shooting at a deputy sheriff that’s sitting on a motorcycle, waiting at a red light, to me that’s the worst of the worst,” the sheriff said.

L.A. Motor Deputy Samuel Aispuro, 43, a husband and father of two young children, was able to make an emergency broadcast for help after he was shot and before he was rushed to Pomona Valley Hospital.

“Thank God, the bullet did not penetrate his bullet-proof vest,” Luna said. “Based on the examination of his vest, he was struck once and I’m very grateful to say that he is currently listed in stable condition. The bullet-proof vest he was wearing absolutely saved his life.”

It is unclear if the suspect, who was still at large as of Monday night, fired more than one round during the incident.

LASD detectives, along with the West Covina Police Department, are now seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle of interest, described as a white sedan with tinted windows last seen going westbound on the 10 Freeway from Barranca Avenue.

“We need to hear from you because right now there’s somebody out there armed with a firearm who shot one of our deputies in the back, and if he’s willing to do that, I’m sure he’s willing to shoot at anyone else,” Sheriff Luna said. “Somebody saw something, and we need to get this person off the street.”

Detectives are also canvassing the area for any surveillance footage that may have captured the shooting.

During the initial manhunt for the suspect, authorities worked to track down another vehicle of interest, described as a white van with a black roof rack, in the 600 block of Mangate Avenue, along Valinda Avenue in La Puente.

Aerial footage captured by Sky5 showed a heavy presence of several law enforcement agencies, including LASD and California Highway Patrol, outside the residence with weapons drawn.

Luna said that several people were detained during the initial search, but that they were being released as the investigation continues.

“We did detain several individuals,” Luna said. “We called them people of interest. We are in the process of releasing them at this time because they may not, and I underline may not, be involved in this.”

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact LASD’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.

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