Update: The outlook for man shot in the head after interrupting a burglarly at his home this week is improving, according to an update posted on Facebook Wednesday morning.

This is a post on the “Praying for Marco” wall on Facebook, attributing the information to Marco Kauffman’s father:

“The head doctor said that he feels like Marco is turning a corner and that at this point it’s safe for him to say that Marco will pull through.

“His condition is stable but critical.

“The progress he saw on the CT scan this morning is good.

“There are two stroke areas in back of head that could affect long term vision. He sees no other issues except the damage caused by the bullet which could likely affect left side motor skills.”

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

CLEVELAND — The next two days are critical, says the family of a man who was shot in the head Monday after interrupting a robbery.

Marcus “Marco” Kauffman, 25, was shot in the back of the head after returning to the Chenault Road home he shared with his wife, Maryann. The two intercepted a burglar at the home, located in western Rowan County near Cleveland, around 10:15 a.m. The home had been ransacked and items taken.

According family and friends, the couple arrived to see a blue car at the home with the hood up. Marcus asked a man there with the car if he needed help. The man did not respond. Marcus took his wife to a home of someone the couple trusted and returned to their home.

Maryann told Rowan authorities the next thing she heard were multiple gunshots. She called out to Marcus, but he did not respond.

Maryann called her mother, who told the young woman not to return to the house. Maryann hid behind a bale of hay near the roadway, according to a series of posts on a Facebook page set up to update the community.

The Facebook page, Praying for Marco, was created Monday and has included a number of updates and an account of what occurred Monday morning. A Post reporter reached out to the page administrator, but has not received a response.

Maryann thought she heard the robbers’ car going back and forth so she continued to hide. At some point, Marcus was able to call 911. Marcus was found inside his 2004 Acura at the end of a corn field near the home. The vehicle struck a tree and Marcus suffered further injuries. The back window of the car had been shot out.

Doctors performed an emergency craniotomy on Monday and Marcus was able to move his right side following the surgery as his sedation was lowered, according to Facebook.

He also responded to wife, Maryann, by squeezing her hand. Doctors are continuing to monitor Marcus to determine if the swelling on his brain has gone down.

The page administrator posted on the site shortly before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, saying Kauffman’s condition remains the same, but that the next two days are critical.

The couple are expecting a baby, friends say. The family, which includes Marcus’ parents, Linda and David, has been at Carolinas Medical Center, along with Maryann, around the clock. Hospital officials did not have an updated condition late Tuesday.

It isn’t clear exactly when Kauffman was shot, but authorities found bullet casings alongside the road by the corn field.

Kauffman is currently with the Scotch Irish Fire Department in Woodleaf. Fire Chief Trey Hoshall said the fire community near and far has shown tremendous support of the station and to Kauffman’s family.

Hoshall said it is absolutely within Kauffman’s character to offer assistance to someone who he thought needed help.

“He more than likely would’ve tried to help them. He wouldn’t second-guess it,” Hoshall said of the burglary suspect.

The firefighters at Scotch Irish are a close-knit group, Hoshall said, and this incident “hits close to home.”

“He’s one of the most stand-up guys I have ever had the pleasure of knowing,” Hoshall said.

The department has received messages of support from firefighters all over the state and nation. Hoshall asks the community to continue praying.

Investigators are seeking information on a teal or blue-colored car, possibly a Pontiac, which may have been broken down or appeared to be broken down in the area. The vehicle was operated and occupied by at least one black male, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The Kauffmans have been married for less than two years and are active in a prison ministry and church singing group.

Investigators ask anyone who may have traveled Chenault Road on Monday between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to contact Lt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687 or Sgt. Jason Owens at 704-216-8683. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.