Lewiston bar shooting may have been self-defense

Lewiston police are investigating a shooting at the Wrangler Bar that left one man with serious injuries late Thursday. Police said Friday they believe the shooter may have been acting in self-defense. Police arrived at the bar at 750 21st St. around 11 p.m. and found a man who’d been shot in the stomach or chest a small caliber pistol. Medics transported the man, Benjamin F. Phares Jr., 49, to the hospital for treatment. He is out of surgery and now listed in serious condition. A video captured by a bar patron shows three shots were fired at Phares while he was aggressively threatening a bar patron. The man who shot him was also transported to the hospital and taken into police custody, but was later released. Police said they are still investigating the incident and hoping to obtain more video footage. No arrests have been made.