Repeat Offender with Violent History Shoots Deputy After Lenient Plea Deal Under D.A.’s Progressive Policies

Raymundo Duran, a repeat offender with a history of violent crimes, recently shot Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Samuel Aispuro in the back at a traffic light in West Covina, California. Duran, who served an 11-year sentence for manslaughter, has previously been convicted of domestic violence and assaulted both his employer and a prison guard during his incarceration. In 2021, Duran was arrested for multiple offenses, including committing a hit-and-run, resisting arrest, and fleeing from a police officer, requiring authorities to forcefully collide with his vehicle to apprehend him. Despite having been a four-time convicted felon and currently wanted for a parole violation, Duran was released under a lenient plea deal arranged by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, who is facing criticism from his own prosecutors, law enforcement, and elected officials due to his progressive criminal justice policies. If Duran had received a harsher sentence for his previous offenses, such as the six-year prison term he faced for possessing a firearm as a felon in 2022, he may not have had the opportunity to shoot Deputy Aispuro. Duran remains in custody, charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, assault against a peace officer, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following the incident, Gascón expressed support for prosecuting the case to the fullest extent of the law, but Duran’s election opponent has criticized Gascón for consistently handing out low sentences, allowing Duran to continue committing violent crimes.