Man charged in shooting, wounding West Covina police officer

WEST COVINA, Calif. (KABC) -- A 47-year-old man has been charged with wounding a West Covina police officer in a shooting last month, officials said Thursday.

Jose Luis Chavez is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Officials say Chavez was stopped by the officer while walking with a bicycle with a woman on May 20 on Badillo Street. Officer Kenny Benitez approached the two for what he believed to be suspicious behavior.

Chavez fled and then shot at the officer with a handgun, officials said. The officer was hit in the chest, and was treated at a local hospital and then sent home to recover.

Chavez was arrested a week after the shooting, and a day after a $20,000 reward was announced.

If convicted, he faces up to life in state prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.