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U.S. Marshals arrest Church's Chicken shooting suspect in Memphis

Authorities identified the suspect as 49-year-old Albert Lee Blake of El Cajon.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The man suspected of shooting three employees at the Church's Chicken in Otay Mesa, killing one, was arrested on Friday in Tennessee.

Authorities identified the man as 49-year-old Albert Lee Blake of El Cajon. The U.S. Marshals Service said Blake was taken into custody in Memphis after a warrant was issued for his arrest. 

"Believing that Blake had fled the state, the assistance of the United States Marshals Service was requested," according San Diego Police Department Lt. Matt Dobbs said.

He is awaiting extradition from Shelby County to San Diego County and is expected to appear in court on Monday in Tennessee.

Blake is suspected of carrying out the shooting at Church's Chicken after he attempted to use a fake bill and was turned away by employees. He allegedly returned minutes later with a gun and opened fire on the three employees, killing 28-year-old Maribel Merino Ibanez of San Diego. 

Maribel was a manager at the Church’s Chicken location and had worked there for eight years.  

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A GoFundMe page set up to help her family with funeral expenses memorialized her as "a loving daughter, sister and aunt" who had recently married.

Two male employees were also shot. Mario Rojas remains in the hospital and Humberto Ruiz was released.    

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Mario with expenses. 

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According to police, Blake was a frequent customer of the Otay Mesa Church's Chicken restaurant. 

No customers inside the restaurant were injured during the shooting.

According to public records, Blake has been arrested approximately a dozen times in San Diego County since 1987.

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