San Diego Police Department officers are searching for a man suspected of shooting his girlfriend's cousin outside of an apartment complex in the 2500 block of J Street. According to NBC San Diego, the victim was taken to a local hospital trauma unit, where he was treated for gun shot wounds to his back and torso and is expected to survive. The suspect allegedly used a .38 revolver to injure the 18-year-old victim. San Diego police Lt. Darryl Hoover told the source the shooting took place following a domestic dispute and that the woman's cousin was targeted due to the fact he was at the apartment complex attempting to protect her.

"We have a good Samaritan here, who had come out to protect the interests of this female victim from the prior incident, and it appears our suspect shot that person, and then fled," Hoover said.

Although police have not released the name of the victim, CNS reported the suspect is believed to be 21-year-old Christian Jose Dominguez. After shooting the victim, Dominguez allegedly fled the scene in a red two-door Mitsubishi Eclipse.

While it is unknown whether the suspect has a history of violence, it is in violation of state law to possess a firearm if he has been convicted of a prior felony. Once the officers are able to find him, it is more than likely he will be arrested and sent to the Vista Detention Center. If he is unable to pay his bail amount, he will be given the opportunity to contact a San Diego bail bondsman to determine what the next step will be.