A man shot twice in the head early Thursday in Washington County near the Greene County line is improving but remains in the intensive care unit of Johnson City Medical Center, Washington County Sheriff's Capt. Shawn Judy said Friday.

Reed Allen Baker, 43, of 342 Old Stockton Road, Chuckey, was shot twice in the head at close range with a shotgun loaded with birdshot, Judy said.

Baker was airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center and was in stable condition Friday, Judy said.

"He got shot twice. He had pellets spread throughout his upper torso and his head area," he said. "We've now got to sit down and talk to him again."

Baker identified the shooter shortly after being wounded, Judy said, but was heavily sedated.

Charged Thursday with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and other offenses was Freddie Mitchell Lewis, 33, of 612 Old State Route 34.

Mitchell surrendered to authorities Thursday and had his first Washington County General Sessions Court appearance on Friday.

There are several possible motives for the shooting, Judy said.

Late Wednesday or early Thursday, Lewis allegedly assaulted Baker with a club at Baker's house, Sheriff Ed Graybeal said.

Baker fended off the assault and Lewis left. Baker was in a friend's driveway in the 100 block of Mae McKee Road a short time later when Lewis returned in his pickup truck, got out and shot Baker in the head, according to Graybeal.

Lewis left but returned a few minutes later and shot Baker a second time in the head, the sheriff said.

Despite being shot twice with shotgun blasts, Baker apparently did not suffer life-threatening wounds, Judy said.

"His mom said he is lucky to be alive," he said.

Lewis remains held in the Washington County jail on $250,000 bond.