WEST COVINA, CA - Raymundo Duran, a 47-year-old gang member, allegedly shot Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy Samuel Aispuro while he was stationed on his motorcycle at a stoplight.
Had the bullet struck an inch higher, it could have been fatal for Deputy Aispuro.
Duran's criminal history is extensive and alarming. He has been involved in multiple violent incidents, including felony assaults, while serving a sentence for manslaughter.
Despite this history, Duran was not detained due to the leniency of George Gascón, the Los Angeles County District Attorney. Nathan Hochman, a challenger to Gascón, asserts that Duran's continued freedom could have been prevented if Gascón had pursued stricter penalties.
"Raymundo Duran, by all accounts, is a sociopath who has committed violent act after violent act for decades," said Nathan Hochman. "Unfortunately, the sentences that he's received haven't deterred him from committing additional violent conduct. So, when George Gascón has his chance to deal with Mr. Duran and make it so he won't be able to victimize others, he decides to go for the lowest sentences."
Criticism of Gascón's approach to criminal justice has been mounting, with dissatisfaction voiced by prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and elected representatives.
They argue that Gascón's policies have undermined public safety and emboldened criminals like Duran.
"Everybody has just really been sickened over it," Jason Lustig, a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County told reporters. "We have a front-row seat to seeing more victims adding up. We see it every day."
Duran's criminal record reveals a pattern of offenses and lenient consequences.
In 2021, he engaged in a high-speed police chase, yet received probation instead of incarceration. This failure to impose meaningful consequences allowed Duran to persist in criminal behavior.
"In 2021, had he actually gotten a six-year sentence or longer, he wouldn't have been in the place to have shot the gun at the deputy in West Covina," Hochman said.
Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized Duran's violent history and questioned how he obtained a firearm given his criminal background.
In response to the shooting, Gascón has vowed to prosecute Duran to the fullest extent of the law. However, critics remain skeptical of his ability to effectively address the root causes of crime and protect public safety.
"The senseless and unprovoked shooting of Deputy Samuel Aispuro is a stark reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face daily," Gascón said days after the shooting. "Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting the offender to the fullest extent of the law. Our thoughts are with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Aispuro as he recovers from this tragic incident."
Had the bullet struck an inch higher, it could have been fatal for Deputy Aispuro.
Duran's criminal history is extensive and alarming. He has been involved in multiple violent incidents, including felony assaults, while serving a sentence for manslaughter.
Despite this history, Duran was not detained due to the leniency of George Gascón, the Los Angeles County District Attorney. Nathan Hochman, a challenger to Gascón, asserts that Duran's continued freedom could have been prevented if Gascón had pursued stricter penalties.
"Raymundo Duran, by all accounts, is a sociopath who has committed violent act after violent act for decades," said Nathan Hochman. "Unfortunately, the sentences that he's received haven't deterred him from committing additional violent conduct. So, when George Gascón has his chance to deal with Mr. Duran and make it so he won't be able to victimize others, he decides to go for the lowest sentences."
Criticism of Gascón's approach to criminal justice has been mounting, with dissatisfaction voiced by prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and elected representatives.
They argue that Gascón's policies have undermined public safety and emboldened criminals like Duran.
"Everybody has just really been sickened over it," Jason Lustig, a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County told reporters. "We have a front-row seat to seeing more victims adding up. We see it every day."
Duran's criminal record reveals a pattern of offenses and lenient consequences.
In 2021, he engaged in a high-speed police chase, yet received probation instead of incarceration. This failure to impose meaningful consequences allowed Duran to persist in criminal behavior.
"In 2021, had he actually gotten a six-year sentence or longer, he wouldn't have been in the place to have shot the gun at the deputy in West Covina," Hochman said.
Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized Duran's violent history and questioned how he obtained a firearm given his criminal background.
In response to the shooting, Gascón has vowed to prosecute Duran to the fullest extent of the law. However, critics remain skeptical of his ability to effectively address the root causes of crime and protect public safety.
"The senseless and unprovoked shooting of Deputy Samuel Aispuro is a stark reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face daily," Gascón said days after the shooting. "Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting the offender to the fullest extent of the law. Our thoughts are with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Aispuro as he recovers from this tragic incident."
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