Hunt Underway For Suspect Who Shot Deputy In Coachella Valley

COACHELLA VALLEY, – Authorities searched today for a 27-year-old gunman who wounded a sheriff's deputy belonging to the Coachella Police Department.

The deputy attempted Thursday at about 7:45 p.m. to stop a vehicle in the Coachella area of Harrison and First streets but the driver did not comply and threw a handgun from the vehicle, said sheriff's Deputy Armando Munoz.

Shortly thereafter, the deputy located the vehicle in the area of Calle Mendoza and Las Flores Avenue, where the driver exited the vehicle and fled through a residential neighborhood. The deputy chased after the suspect, who shot and wounded him with a second handgun, authorities said.

The deputy called for assistance and several colleagues and medical personnel responded. The wounded deputy was airlifted to an area hospital for treatment, Munoz said, adding his injuries are not life-threatening.

The involved officer’s name was not released.

The sheriff's department, which supplies the staff at the Coachella Police Department, sent a SWAT team to respond and conduct a search throughout the residential neighborhood for the suspect, identified by authorities as Gildardo Davila of Coachella.

Authorities closed Tyler Street from Avenue 50 and Avenue 52 for the search.

Davila is a suspected gang member and is believed to be armed and dangerous, Munoz said. He is Hispanic, in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 9, 200 pounds, last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

Court records show Davila has numerous prior convictions dating back to2008, including vehicle theft, possession of ammunition, possession of controlled substances, possession of burglary tools and a violation of the gang injunction served by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office on the region last year.

Residents in the area were advised to lock all doors and windows and shelter in place and to call 911 to report all suspicious activity.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information to contact Investigator Dickey of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Nieburger at 760-863-8990. If you would like to remain anonymous, contact Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.

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--City News Service contributed to this report/Image via Riverside Sheriff