An Oconee County, South Carolina, sheriff’s deputy who was shot Thursday afternoon was in stable but critical condition Friday afternoon.

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw tpld Fox Carolina that deputies were conducting a traffic stop on South Highway 11 at around 12 p.m. A driver in a white Chevy Silverado fled from the traffic stop and deputies began chasing him.

According to Crenshaw, the chase continued, shots were fired, and a deputy was struck by gunfire. The deputy, 27-year-old Corporal Lucas Watts, was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery.

On Friday afternoon, Crenshaw said Watts was in stable but critical condition. Watts is a father with a newborn baby. He has served with the sheriff’s office since March 2020 and previously worked for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. A fundraiser for Watts and his family has been set up through Serve and Connect and 100 percent of donations will go to them.

“Lucas is an outstanding deputy and professionally serves and protects the citizens of Oconee County,” Crenshaw said.

After Watts was shot, the sheriff said the suspect again fled from law enforcement. He was later located and shot by deputies, according to Crenshaw.