Sheriff’s deputy shot in Coachella

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A deputy from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was shot in Coachella on Thursday night.

The deputy, who was not named, was taken to the hospital after the shooting, which happened about 8pm. The condition of the deputy has not been reported. Update 9:31 pm: The Desert Sun reports the deputy is in stable condition.

Police are searching for a suspect.

Update 9:25 pm:  Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area of Tyler Street from Avenue 50 to Avenue 52 as they search for a suspect.

Update: A suspect has been named and more details released in a news release from the Sheriff’s Department:

On Thursday, May 25, 2017, at about 7:45 PM, an officer from the Coachella Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle in the area of Harrison Street and First Street, located in the city of Coachella. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and threw a handgun from the vehicle.

Shortly thereafter, the officer located the vehicle in the area of Calle Mendoza and Las Flores Avenue. The driver exited the vehicle and fled through a residential neighborhood. The officer chased after the suspect and the suspect who was armed with a handgun, shot and injured the officer. The officer called for assistance and multiple officers and medical personnel responded to the scene and the officer was airlifted to a local area hospital for treatment. The officer, who was struck by the gunfire, suffered non-life threatening injuries. The involved officer’s name is not being released at this time.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s SWAT Team responded and conducted a search throughout the residential neighborhood. Investigators from the Coachella Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Central Homicide Unit also responded to the location and assumed control of the investigation. A search for the suspect is ongoing. The male suspect has been identified as 27-year-old, Coachella resident, Gildardo Davila. Davila is a suspected gang member and is believed to be armed and dangerous.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is encouraging anyone with information regarding this investigation 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, please contact Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.