Rowan Co. volunteer fire fighter shot during home invasion (North Carolina)

News 14 Carolina ^ | 1/3/2013 | Jenna Barnes

[JimSp]

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Marcus Kaufman, 25, is fighting for his life after being shot in the head in his own home Monday. As the Rowan County Sheriff's Office continues to search for the shooter, Kaufman's friends and family are hoping he'll pull through. Marcus and Maryann Kaufman's lives changed in an instant Monday when they returned to their Cleveland home after brunch with his parents.

"Marcus and Maryann had stopped to help somebody that needed help just across the street from their house," said friend and neighbor Daniel Troyer.

It looked like a car was broken down, but Maryann told the Troyers the driver was creepy.

[JimSp]

This happened in a rural area along a peaceful country road.

[ThunderSleeps]

It can, and does, happen anywhere. That’s why I keep a loaded firearm literally within arms reach at all times while I’m home. There is a loaded Glock 9mm on the table beside me as I type this.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

Since he was a fireman there may be much more to the story, and it may not have been random at all. Some local area dope fiends may have been familiar with Kaufman's participation in emergency services and believed he may have had access to some narcotics and if he had been also a trained & certified EMT - not unusual in the more rural areas - that would have enhanced such a belief of access. No telling these days. Prayers for his recovery.

 

 

[lwd]

'Tis the season that these types of home invasions seem to increase...it's how the criminals do their Christmas shopping.

This happened about 10 miles from where I live. Local paper says victim is involved in prison ministry. I'm speculating but he may of let slip that he was going out-of-town to a room full of prisoners. I have fairly good confidence in the Sheriffs Dept here. They seem to do a good job of catching violent criminals and I hope they find these guys (black males driving a blue or teal Pontiac).

Shooting victim still hospitalized

[Royal Wulff]

My family is from Mt Ulla, just down the road. Amazed something like this would happen there.

[Royal Wulff]

Ditto, but .40 S&W

[JimSp]

His prison ministry was out of state with a group called Gospel Express.

I used to go to church with this guy and his family. Rented a house just 2 miles from where this happened for awhile, then rented another house across the street from his family (before he was married). I saw a picture on FB that indicated the Cleveland FD is collecting donations. His church is also collecting donations.

He is one of the best kids you will ever meet. And that’s not just your stereotypical “but he was a good kid” garbage that is often spouted after these incidents. He truly was a salt of the earth kind of guy.

[JimSp]

Marcus and his wife are part of a singing team that was planning to go sing and share in prisons this week. The team is leaving this morning without Marcus and his wife. Imagine going into prisons and pouring love into the lives of criminals who may have done to someone else what a criminal did to your beloved friend. Imagine doing this a few days after this happened to your friend. Imagine doing this while your friend lays in a hospital, fighting for his life. I’m proud to call these guys my friends.

[JimSp]

From his dad just now...

“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.

“Our position as a family is that we are not stopping with this; we continue to ask for complete healing. We accept Gods will, but to the kingdom of darkness we will not give an inch.””

[lwd]

Thanks for the update. I’m glad to hear the doctor has a positive report.

[JimSp]

There is a Facebook page set up to give updates. over 26,000 likes so far. Blows my mind.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Praying-for-Marco/181221638750126

[lwd]

http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20131205/SP01/131209817/1091/SP0116/suspect-wanted-in-marcus-kauffman-shooting

perp ID’d

[JimSp]

Here's a picture of the scum bag.

Look at his record. General purpose scum bag with a history of breaking and entering. http://www.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1014191&searchLastName=mcclelland&searchFirstName=khari&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Here's an update from his wife. "Here's a prayer request for the prayer warriors who happen to be awake right now, despite the hour. Overnight they have been having trouble with the pressure in Marco's brain increasing again. They've been giving him medication trying to bring it down, and putting ice packs all around him to try and help. The nurse says it's kind of a balancing act right now, because using more medication to help the swelling could also spike other things that shouldn't be spiked. God can lower the swelling and pressure easily with no need of the medication. So let's go, prayer warriors. Pray! -Maryann"

[JimSp]

http://www.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1014191&searchLastName=mcclelland&searchFirstName=khari&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1