Spalding County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Buice is expected to recover after being shot in the face by a local man wielding an assault rifle Friday afternoon.

“He was shot in the facial area and went into Grady last night,” Capt. Tony Ranieri of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office said. “He came out of surgery just fine and was listed critical, but stable.”

Ranieri said that according to the hospital, Buice is expected to recover from his wounds. The next 24 hours will be instrumental in determining his condition.

Michael Stringer, 38, is the suspected shooter. He was killed by sheriff’s deputies after emerging from his home on 2388 E. McIntosh Road, firing an assault rifle at 4:15 p.m Friday.

Stringer was unemployed and living on disability insurance and had threatened suicide, prompting the Sheriff’s Office to go to his house.

His initial assault struck Buice and a nearby car driven by Mark Martin, who received eye injuries from flying glass. Another car driven by an unnamed woman was struck by gunfire, but the woman was not injured. Several Sheriff’s Office cars and nearby trees were hit as well.

“All that happened in the burst of bullets he got out before our officers ended up shooting him,” Ranieri said.

Martin was taken to Grady as well but was released later.

Ranieri said more information as to Buice’s condition and the shooter's motive will be available early next week.