Thousand Oaks man shot dead after allegedly assaulting a friend with a firearm

MILLE OAK, California (KABC) –

A 25-year-old man who allegedly sexually assaulted his girlfriend and assaulted her with a firearm told the sheriff's deputies that he was shot and wounded on Saturday morning in Thousand Oaks, officials said.

Raphael Bhatti, 25, was met by MPs around 12:35 pm while responding to a domestic violence incident, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. At that time, his vehicle was parked on Moorpark Road, just south of Highway 101.

Authorities have described Bhatti's bullet wound as serious but not life-threatening.

Other MPs, assisted by a special anti-fraud unit, visited a house located in the 300 block of Rolling Oaks Drive and contacted a woman involved in the incident.

"The investigators learned that the woman was a victim of domestic violence and several other crimes," the statement said. "The detectives learned that Bhatti had a romantic relationship with the victim and that he had held the victim against his will for several hours" at the residence.

During the evening, according to authorities, Bhatti: beat the victim, causing serious bodily injury; pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her; used force to prevent him from leaving the house; and the sexually beaten.

The woman, whose identity was not revealed, was treated for many injuries in a hospital.

The investigators discovered that Bhatti was a recognized Virginia criminal who had "extensive criminal history" in that state and in Maryland, the Sheriff's Department said. The detectives searched his home and found two firearms, as well as evidence "consistent with the statement of the victim," the statement said.

One of the weapons was reportedly stolen in Prince William County, Virginia, according to authorities.

"Bhatti continues to receive medical attention for his injuries and has not been arrested for his involvement in the incident," said the sheriff's statement, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.