West Covina

$10K Reward Offered in West Covina Officer Shooting

A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man suspected of shooting and wounding a police officer in West Covina.

The officer, who has since been released from a hospital, was hit in the upper body about 11:20 p.m. Friday near the intersection of North Yaleton Avenue and Badillo Street, authorities said.

The suspect has been identified as 47-year-old Jose Chavez. "Chavez fired numerous rounds at the officer as the officer attempted to detain him," Deputy Sara Rodriguez of the Sheriff's Information Bureau said.

The reward will be announced at a news conference Wednesday morning at West Covina police headquarters.

According to sheriff's homicide detectives who are assisting West Covina police with the officer-involved shooting investigation, the wounded officer had "contacted" a man riding a bicycle.

That contact led to a gunfight between the officer and the bicyclist, which left the officer wounded, according to Deputy Trina Schrader.

There's no word on what led to the escalation after the initial contact was made by officers, or why the officer stopped the man.

Chavez is described as Hispanic, about 6-feet-1 inch tall, weighing 225 pounds, with dark hair and eyes and a left eyebrow piercing, Rodriguez said.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, she said.

The reward money was approved by the city of West Covina.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to contact sheriff's homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or lacrimestoppers.org.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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