'Goofy' Manhunt: Suspect Sought For Shooting Deputy In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – Law enforcement authorities are still looking for at least one suspect involved in the shooting of a Coachella station sheriff's deputy that left him hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds, Deputy Armando Munoz said.

The "search for Gildardo Davila continues and will NOT STOP until he is captured," the Riverside County Sheriff's Office said.

Gildardo "Goofy" Davila, 27, a documented gang member, allegedly fled during a traffic stop, then fired on the deputy during a subsequent foot chase. The deputy, whose name was withheld, was airlifted to a hospital and is expected to fully recover, Munoz said.

Sheriff Stan Sniff, in a Facebook post Friday morning, said the deputy was "alert, conscious and in good spirits" at the hospital with his family.

Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez said: "We are relieved that the deputy is OK and we are very pleased that the Sheriff's Department has identified a suspect involved in the shooting. We are committing every available resource to capture the suspect."

At around 7:45 p.m. Thursday, the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop in the area of Harrison and First streets, but the driver did not comply and threw a handgun from the vehicle, Munoz said.

Shortly afterward, the deputy located the vehicle in the area of Calle Mendoza and Las Flores Avenue, where the driver got out and fled through a residential neighborhood. Security camera footage also shows a second person exiting the vehicle, although authorities have not released any information on that person.

As the deputy chased the driver, he produced a handgun and shot the lawman multiple times, authorities said.

A sheriff's department SWAT team searched the area for the suspect to no avail. Authorities closed Tyler Street from Avenue 50 and Avenue 52 during the search.

Davila should be considered armed and dangerous, Munoz said. The Coachella resident is described as Hispanic, in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5-feet-9, 200 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. He also has a tattoo covering his chest and stomach area that reads "Cochela VCR."

Court records show Davila has numerous convictions dating back to 2008, including vehicle theft, possession of ammunition, possession of controlled substances, possession of burglary tools and violation of the gang injunction served by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office on the region last year.

"We are asking the public for any helpful information to call 760-836-3215 option 5. If you would like to remain anonymous please contact Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP," the agency said.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation also can contact Investigator Dickey of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Nieburger at 760-863-8990.

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--City News Service contributed to this report/Images via RivCo Sheriff