IRENE HSIAO
Tucson Citizen

Pima County detectives are investigating the shooting of an unidentified 23-year-old illegal immigrant near Sasabe on Tuesday.

A group of immigrants heard a man yell, "Stop!" about 3 a.m. and a shot from the direction of the voice, said sheriff's Deputy Dawn Barkman, a spokeswoman.

The migrants told detectives they didn't see the gunman, she said.

The wounded man was taken by helicopter to University Medical Center and was in critical condition last night, Barkman said.

After the shooting, some migrants went to find help and flagged down a U.S. Border Patrol agent at noon Tuesday 16 miles north of Sasabe on State Route 286. Sasabe is 62 miles south of Tucson along the border. The agent contacted the Sheriff's Department.

The immigrants said they crossed the border Monday, Barkman said.