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Suspect in Gaslamp shooting that injured off-duty deputy arrested in Mexico

Posted at 5:12 PM, Sep 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-07 12:04:13-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Authorities announced the arrest of a man wanted in a shooting that injured off-duty San Diego Sheriff's Deputy in the city's Gaslamp District last month.

Ray Pitoau, 37, was arrested on the southern outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico, according to San Diego Police. U.S. Marshal's agents, with the help of Baja California State Police, located Pitoau around 12 p.m. at a home in the area. He was arrested without incident and later deported back to San Diego.

Pitoau is being charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

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The U.S. Marshal's and Baja California State Police had been working together in a week-long joint operation to track Pitoau down.

The San Diego Police Officer's Association had originally announced the arrest on Twitter.

Pitoau was wanted since the Aug. 7 shooting in the 500 block of Island Avenue, involving an off-duty deputy and several others -- including two off-duty Escondido police officers. Authorities say Pitoau fired at the group, striking Deputy Jason Philpot.

It was not clear what led to the confrontation.

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

Philpot was shot three times in the shoulder. He survived non-life threatening injuries from the shooting. A bystander was also struck by gunfire and survived.

San Diego SWAT officers swarmed an East County home shortly after the incident hoping to corner Pitoau, but did not locate him inside the home.

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