Authorities seek deputy wounded with assault rifle during desert encounter in southern Arizona

Authorities seek wounded Arizona deputy in desert

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — Authorities in southern Arizona are searching for a deputy who radioed for help and said he had been shot with an AK-47 assault rifle in a remote desert area. Pinal County Sheriff’s Lt. Tammy Villar says the deputy called in Friday

to say he had encountered a group and been shot in the abdomen.

The area is used by drug- and human-smugglers from Mexico.

However, the circumstances that led to the shooting are unclear.

Villar says law enforcement officers are trying to find the deputy, who apparently was near Interstate 8 and Arizona 84 about 50 miles south of Phoenix.