San Ysidro

A man was shot in the face Thursday by an unknown assailant, police reported.

The victim, Jose Flores, was shot once during an argument in a motel room in the 900 block of West San Ysidro Boulevard, said Dave Cohen, a spokesman for the San Diego Police Department. The incident occurred about noon.

Flores, 18, was listed in fair but stable condition after surgery at UCSD Medical Center, said a hospital spokeswoman. The bullet entered through Flores’ cheek, then exited.

A man who went to Flores’ aid said he saw Flores turn a corner and walk toward him.

“He had his hands held up to his face,” Greg Dixon said. “His hands where kind of cupped, and they were just full of blood. We put some ice on the wound and a bucket below him. . . . It was a pretty gory sight.”

Police have not apprehended any suspects. But one man was led away in handcuffs by officers. Police believe the man was in the room when Flores was shot.

A witness also saw a man running away. He was described as a Latino, 5-foot-9, 140 pounds, wearing black jeans and blue short-sleeve shirt, and with black hair in a pony tail.