A Marion County, Tenn., woman is hospitalized for a gunshot wound and her son is behind bars after he reportedly shot her Friday with an AR-15 as she tried to flee in a vehicle from a home on Bennett's Lake Road.

Authorities in Marion County said Tuesday that 54-year-old Carolyn Sue Henry's condition had improved somewhat. She is being treated in a Chattanooga hospital for a gunshot wound to her head.

Paul Harold Nunley III, 18, now is charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder in the attack, Marion County Sheriff's Office Detective Gene Hargis said.

Paul Harold Nunley III

Hargis described Henry's injuries as "extensive" and said she would require rehabilitation as she recovers. Henry was listed late Tuesday in stable condition after surgery to remove a bullet and shrapnel from her head.

Around 11:50 p.m. CDT Friday, deputies responded to the Bennett's Lake Road home on a report from a caller who "heard multiple gunshots and heard a woman screaming," Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said in a statement.

"Deputies found Henry with what appeared to [be] a severe wound to her head," Burnett said.

Bennett's Lake Road is off of Mullins Cove Road along the shoreline of the Tennessee River a few miles south of Whitwell.

Nunley was at the residence when authorities arrived and he was taken into custody. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting on the case. A female neighbor was at the scene during the incident but was uninjured.

The shooting happened after Henry and Nunley had been arguing and, possibly, had a physical scuffle. Henry got into a Jeep Laredo to drive to a neighbor's house, Hargis said.

"When [Nunley] heard the vehicle start up, he retrieved his AR-15 and started firing into the vehicle," Hargis said.

Henry, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to her head, still managed to drive to the top of the hill before the Jeep collided with a neighbor's car. Henry got out of the Jeep and made her way back down the hill to the home where she hid in some trees until deputies arrived, Hargis said, adding that Henry was "pretty tough."

Detectives found at least 28 shell casings and a Jeep riddled with bullet holes, he said.

A semi-automatic .223-caliber American Tactical AR-15 was seized as evidence, and multiple other weapons were removed from the home as a safety precaution, Hargis said.

Officials said there was no history of problems with the 18-year-old and his mother.

More charges are possible as the investigation continues, Hargis said.

Nunley remains in the Marion County Jail without bond.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.

This story was updated June 20 at 11:50 p.m.