LA County deputy on motorcycle shot in back at West Covina stoplight

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy on a motorcycle was waiting at a stoplight Monday when he was shot in the back, the department said.

The shooting was reported early Monday afternoon near the 10 Freeway east of Los Angeles. The deputy, who was wearing his uniform at the time, suffered injuries that are not considered life threatening, the agency said.

During a press conference Monday, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said the deputy was shot in the back while on a motorcycle, waiting for the green light at the intersection of Barranca Street and East Garvey Avenue. He was identified as 43-year-old Samuel Aispuro.

"Based on the examination of his vest, he was struck once,'' Luna said.

Luna said the bullet did not pass through Aispuro because he was wearing a bulletproof vest, which he credited with saving the deputy's life.

Aispuro was taken to a hospital where he is in stable condition, Luna said. He has been with the sheriff's department for nearly 20 years and is married with two children ages 4 and 2.

He was able to report the shooting to his law enforcement colleagues, Luna said.

Westbound lanes on the 10 Freeway were closed around 3 p.m. in West Covina near Barranca Street for the investigation. Video showed several patrol vehicles near a freeway overpass blocked off by yellow police tape.

A search connected to the investigation led sheriff's deputies to a neighborhood in the La Puente area, where deputies had weapons drawn outside a residence.

There were no immediate reports of arrests.

"We consider this individual to be a public safety risk,'' Luna said. "Somebody saw something. We need to get this person off the street.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.