THOMASVILLE — A Sunday night argument between acquaintances ended with one of the parties being shot in the head and the other facing several criminal charges.

Ulysees Hayes, 43, 403 N. Crawford St., is charged with shooting a 39-year-old Coolidge man in the back of the head.

Hayes, who was denied bond Monday, is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Thomasville police responded at 7:40 p.m. Sunday to 1101 N. Madison St. and a report of shots being fired.

The first officer to arrive at the scene found an unconscious man lying on his back behind the house.

“Shortly thereafter, the subject regained consciousness and said, ‘Get me to the hospital. Help me,’ “ according to Sgt. Melven Johnson, assistant commander of the Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division.

The officer reported a large amount of blood on the back of the man’s head and on the ground where he had been lying.

The victim was transported to Archbold Memorial Hospital and rushed into surgery.

“A bullet was removed from the back of his head,” Johnson said, adding that the projectile did not penetrate the skull.

On Sunday night, the victim was listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit. His condition could not be obtained Monday from the hospital.

After witnesses told officers Hayes had been in the back yard at the house, the suspect was arrested less than an hour later, when his brother took him to the Jail-Justice Center.

Investigators have not determined why the men were at the North Madison house. Johnson said alcohol played a role in the shooting.

A firearm believed to be used in the shooting has been recovered. The ownership of the firearm is being determined with assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Hayes, who was interviewed Monday morning, did not deny that he shot the Coolidge man, Johnson said. The officer said Hayes has served prison time for cocaine convictions.