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Rowan Co. community to remember volunteer firefighter

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A Rowan County community will come together to remember a volunteer firefighter shot outside his home.

Four men have been charged in connection to the shooting.

Two of those charges were upgraded to first-degree murder after the family decided to take him off life support Friday.

Gracie Wise and Tara Bragg are two fifth-graders who did not know Marcus Kauffman or his family, but they heard about how the volunteer fire fighter was fighting for his life after being shot in the head by burglars and wanted to help.

"We saw some girls around school and they were getting everybody to sign a card and we figured why don't we take it to the community and have a donation," one of the girls said.

They set up a table outside of the Dollar General in Cleveland and began accepting donations for the family.

The sign used to read "Pray for Marco," but after the family made the painful decision to remove Kauffman from life support, they changed it to "Pray for Marco's family."

In just a matter of hours the girls were able to raise nearly $340.

As people made donations, they also left written well wishes in a card. The girls sent their own messages of encouragement to the Kauffman family.

IMAGES: Marco Kauffman

Funeral arrangements announced for Marco Kauffman

A visitation and funeral for Marco Kauffman will be at the Mac Grey Auditorium, 474 N. Center St., Statesville. Details were posted at Praying for Marco Facebook page.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Monday.

The body will be available for viewing at noon before the funeral for those who are unable to make it Sunday.

A private burial for family, friends and close acquaintances will be at Cleveland Believers Fellowship.

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