Authorities still search for person who shot volunteer firefighter

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — The Rowan County Sheriff's Office is still looking for whoever shot Marcus Kauffman, 25, from Cleveland. It happened right after Thanksgiving. Kauffman is still in the hospital.

"He's a top notch guy. We need more Marcuses in the world," said Fire Chief Trey Hoshall, with the Scotch Irish Fire Department in Woodleaf, North Carolina.

Hoshall has worked with Kauffman for about six years. He was shocked when he heard Kauffman had been shot.

"He's the type that would give you the shirt off his back without you even having to ask for it," said Hoshall.

In return, all Kauffman's family is asking for now is prayer. On Wednesday, an update from the family was posted on a Facebook page called, "Praying for Marco." The post said that the doctor feels Kauffman has turned a corner. He is still in critical condition, but the doctor says it's safe to say he will pull through.

"It's a huge relief. At first they were telling us he had a 5 percent chance of living and now they are saying its a pretty good chance he's going to make it," said Hoshall.

"We just want to see him pull through," said fireman Brent Mincey with the Cleveland Community Volunteer Fire Department.

Mincey doesn't know Kauffman personally, but helped put up a sign Wednesday letting people know the fire department is collecting money for Kauffman's family.

"We want to do what we can for a brother fireman," said Mincey.

That is sentiment that Kauffman's fire chief shares. Hoshall said that he plans to visit Kauffman Wednesday. He has a message for him.

"Hang in there. I mean we're here, we've got his back and we will be here for him until the end," said Chief Hoshall.

Another Facebook update was posted Wednesday saying damage from the bullet could possibly impact some of Kauffman's vision and motor skills.

Eyewitness News reached out to the Sheriff's Office looking for new information on the investigation. We were told there's nothing new to release.

A Facebook page, Praying for Marco, was created for Kauffman. Click here to view the page.

Read our past coverage:

Dec. 3: Volunteer firefighter remains in critical condition after being shot in head

Dec. 2: Police still searching for gunman after man shot in head in own driveway

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