Authorities Searching for Suspect Accused of Shooting W. Covina Cop

WEST COVINA, CA - Police and sheriff's deputies are asking for the public's help in locating a man suspected of shooting and wounding a police officer in West Covina.

The officer was stable at a hospital and expected to survive a gunshot wound in the upper torso, said Deputy Sara Rodriguez of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

The shooting occurred at 11:20 p.m. Friday, near the intersection of North Yaleton Avenue and Badillo Street, according to Rodriguez.

The suspect had been identified as 47-year-old Jose Chavez, she said. "Chavez fired numerous rounds at the officer as the officer attempted to detain him."

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 yet on what led to the escalation after the initial contact was made by officers, or why the officer stopped the man in the first place.

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

He should be considered armed and dangerous, she said.

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

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the LASD.