South Carolina Deputy Hospitalized from Shooting Loses Eye, May be Transferred to Rehab

The family of a critically wounded South Carolina deputy who remains hospitalized after a Nov. 16 shooting says his progress is like a rollercoaster of ups and downs.

"The rollercoaster ride continues with plenty of ups and downs over the last few days. We’ve been waiting to update you so that we would have a better picture of what all is going on. For a short period of time, we weren’t even sure what to report. It through it all, we are grateful to have many praises,” the family of Cpl. Lucas Watts reports on the Caring Bridge website .

"After talking with others who have experienced brain injuries, we felt reassured that the back and forth is just part of the journey," the post says. "So, we continue to prayerfully wait."

The post says doctors were not able to save Watts' right eye and it was removed Wednesday, WYFF reports.

"They will place a prosthetic eye at a later time, the post says. "We’re also happy to report he is opening his left eye which is yet another sign of progress!"

The family said the next step may be Shepherd Center in Atlanta for rehab.