BY DARRELL HALEN

A Salem man accused of shooting his stepbrother at a Windham auto body shop is scheduled to go on trial next month.

Frank Meisel, 42, 7 Cluff Road, Salem, faces a misdemeanor simple assault charge for allegedly shooting David Richardson in the chest with a handgun on March 1 at Windham Auto Body on Roulston Road.

Richardson, of 22 Roul-ston Road, Windham, underwent surgery at a Boston hospital.

The trial is set for Tuesday, May 8, in Salem District Court. Meisel has pleaded not guilty.

Windham police said they responded to an altercation between the men at the auto body shop prior to the shooting. Meisel asked police to order Richardson to stay off his property.

Richardson returned later in the day and was allegedly shot by Meisel, according to police.

The case is under review by the Windham Police Department and the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office, and Meisel could face more charges, said Heather Newell, police prosecutor.