A Salem man allegedly shot his stepbrother at a Windham auto body shop, about two hours after police responded to an altercation between the two men.

Frank Meisel, 42, of 7 Cluff Road, Salem, is charged with simple assault.

He allegedly shot David Richardson, 52, at Windham Auto Body, which Meisel owns at 47 Roulston Road in Windham.

The incident took place around noon on Thursday, March 1.

Richardson, who was shot in the left side of his chest, underwent surgery at a Boston hospital and was in critical condition.

Windham Police Chief Gerald Lewis said officer David Comeau was called to the autobody shop after some sort of disagreement occurred between the two men. Meisel asked police to order Richardson to stay away from the shop.

“He wanted to convey to Mr. Richardson that he was not wanted on the property,” Lewis said.

Richardson lives at 22 Roulston Road, the same street the autobody shop is on.

Lewis said it’s too soon to say if additional charges will be filed.

“We’re in the early stages of gathering information,” he said, adding that police are still investigating Meisel’s motive for allegedly shooting Richardson and who owned the gun that was used.