Authorities are searching for a man they say shot a police deputy Thursday night in Coachella.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, 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, at about 7:45 pm.
The suspect did not stop and was seen throwing a handgun from the vehicle. The officer located the vehicle in the area of Calle Mendoza and Las Flores Avenue, where the driver fled the car and ran into a residential neighborhood.
The officer chased after the suspect and was shot with a handgun. The officer called for assistance and medical personnel and was later airlifted to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Gildardo Davila of Coachella, a suspected gang member who is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Police ask anyone with info to call Investigator Dickey of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Nieburger at 760-863-8990 or, to remain anonymous, Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.
