News

Actions

Off-duty San Diego County sheriff's deputy shot during Gaslamp Quarter altercation

Jason Philpot identified as injured deputy
Posted at 4:57 AM, Aug 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-07 19:52:10-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A San Diego County sheriff's deputy and another man were shot following an altercation in the Gaslamp Quarter early Monday morning.

San Diego police said an off-duty deputy and several other companions -- including two off-duty Escondido police officers -- were walking in the 500 block of Island Avenue just after 1 a.m. when a confrontation with an unknown man took place.

The injured deputy was identified by San Diego police as Jason Philpot, an 11-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department who currently serves in the Emergency Services Division. 

A source told 10News the deputy and his friends just left a concert prior to the incident.

For reasons not yet known, a man pulled out a gun on the group during the altercation, but the deputy wrestled with him for the firearm. It was at that point when at least three shots were fired, police said.

According to police, the deputy was hit three times in the shoulder while another man in the immediate area was struck in the arm by gunfire.

The deputy and the bystander were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Meanwhile, police said a search is underway for the suspected shooter -- described as a black man with shoulder-length dreadlocked hair in his 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing 160 to 170 pounds.

The suspect was last seen wearing black shorts and a long-sleeve shirt, and police said witnesses saw him fleeing the scene south on Island Avenue and then east on K Street.

At a 7:15 a.m. briefing, police said investigators -- based on surveillance footage taken in the area -- are searching for a second person possibly involved in the confrontation. A description of that person was not immediately provided.

No other injuries were reported.

5th, 6th and 7th avenues between Island Avenue and Market Street were shut down due to the manhunt/investigation.

At 11 a.m., police reopened all affected streets.

Police say they are continuing to speak to witnesses and review surveillance footage.