LEWISTON – A charge of attempted murder has been added to the list of counts against a Horton Street man accused of shooting another man in the hip last month.

Kenneth Lamar Phipps, 56, of 17 Horton St., was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury Wednesday on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and elevated aggravated assault.

Phipps is accused of shooting 44-year-old James DeHart May 16 after the pair argued briefly in Phipps’ backyard.

Jailed after the shooting, Phipps told police he had shot DeHart with a handgun in self-defense after DeHart pulled a knife.

DeHart spent a night in the hospital after undergoing surgery for the bullet wound. In an interview a day later, he admitted that he had cut through Phipps’ backyard and argued with Phipps. However, he denied threatening Phipps and said he was not carrying a knife when he was shot.

Police believe the two men argued after Phipps hollered for DeHart to stop cutting through his yard on the way to a downtown store. DeHart told Phipps to mind his own business and the confrontation began, according to court records.

DeHart said he tried to turn away and flee when Phipps pulled out a handgun.

“It sounded like a cannon going off,” DeHart said. “I thought, ‘Crap. I’ve been hit.’ It looked to me like the guy wanted to shoot again.”

No second shot was fired. Police who responded confiscated a .25-caliber Derringer. DeHart was taken to Central Maine Medical Center. The bullet was left in his hip.

Phipps was jailed but has since been released.

According to police records, Phipps was involved in another shooting in February at 17 Horton St. when he shot a person in the hallway. No criminal charges were filed against him.

Phipps will be summoned to answer the charges against him. The charges of elevated aggravated assault and attempted murder each carry a sentence of up to 30 years.