Georgia Sheriff's Deputy Fighting for His Life Following Shootout

AUGUSTA, Georgia -- A Richmond County Sheriff's deputy is fighting for his life after being shot Saturday in a deadly shootout with a homeless man at a closed business in Augusta.

Deputy Kenneth Mercer is being treated at the Augusta University Medical Center’s Trauma Unit after suffering a massive wound to his neck, according to The Augusta Press.

The homeless man was killed in the shootout and has not been identified.

Richmond County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Pat Clayton wrote department personnel that Mercer was still in surgery Sunday, which was expected to last for another few hours. "They are doing their best to repair the wounds," he wrote. "The Doctor briefed us mid-surgery and advised that he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ that Deputy Mercer will survive the wounds although he is in critical condition.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested due to the nature of the incident and assumed the investigation.