READING, Pa. – A man has been charged in connection with a Reading triple shooting outside a neighborhood bar.
During the early morning hours of May 17, Reading Police responded to the area of S. 17th & Cotton Streets for a reported shooting with multiple victims.
Arriving officers discovered three men shot at the location. All were transported to Reading Hospital for treatment.
According to court documents, a fight occurred inside a bar located in the block.
During the altercation, a man was punched in the face and knocked to the floor. Police say he left the bar a short time later.
Approximately 30 minutes after that, police say the man who was punched could be seen standing on the corner of 17th & Cotton with a group of people.
As patrons exited the bar, the man who was punched charged at them and a large fight broke out between several of the men gathered.
At this time, the side door of a Dodge Durango parked in the crosswalk opened and a man, later identified as 21-year-old Michael Raifsnider, got out of the vehicle. Police allege he then removed a firearm from his waistband and began firing.
Police say the man punched inside the bar was struck by gunfire in the shoulder and buttocks and another man was shot in the eye.
Three unknown suspects fired back at Raifsnider. Investigators say he was hit in the nose and collapsed behind a nearby pickup truck.
Raifsnider is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related offenses.