SARANAC LAKE — A state trooper shot in the hand Thursday night while attempting to take a muzzleloading rifle from a man was listed in good condition Friday.

Trooper George M. Stannard was shot in the right hand while trying to take the rifle from Donald L. McCray, who had threatened to kill himself. The trooper was taken to Adirondack Medical Center for initial treatment, then later taken by state police helicopter to Albany Medical Center. His injury was considered non-life threatening, troopers said.

The incident started when Mr. McCray, 39, Ticonderoga, called Essex County emergency dispatchers Wednesday threatening to commit suicide. Several law enforcement agencies conducted a search for him around the village of Tupper Lake without success Wednesday.

The search resumed Thursday. Mr. McCray's vehicle was found about 4:30 p.m. on Coreys Road in the town of Harrietstown. About three hours later, he was spotted in a shelter and fled in a canoe on the Raquette River, troopers said.

Troopers Dustin E. Fleishman and Stannard, along with state Forest Ranger Julie Harjung, followed him in a boat. Mr. McCray then threatened to kill himself while holding the rifle.

Trooper Stannard then had a lengthy discussion with him, trying to convince Mr. McCray to surrender. During the discussion, Mr. McCray pulled the gun away from his head and Trooper Stannard tried to disarm him, which triggered a struggle for the gun.

While struggling for control of the rifle about 9:06 p.m., the trooper was shot in the hand.

Mr. McCray was charged with second-degree assault. He was arraigned in Harrietstown Town Court and ordered held without bail at the Franklin County jail, Malone, pending a mental evaluation.