Police arrested a Durango man in connection with an early morning shooting Thursday in downtown Durango.

Anthony Pappas, 22, is being held in the La Plata County Jail on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, felony menacing and prohibited use of a firearm while intoxicated.

The victim, Skyler Bowers, 25, also of Durango, was treated and released Thursday from Mercy Regional Medical Center, said Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop with the Durango Police Department.

Bowers suffered a “gunshot-related” injury to his back, Dunlop said, but investigators were reluctant to call it a “gunshot wound.”

The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. in the 600 block of Main Avenue.

Neither the victim nor the suspect knew each other, Dunlop said, but Pappas approached Bowers, who was sitting on a bench.

“They were just two people hanging out downtown at 2 a.m. who started a conversation and, at some point, a struggle ensued,” Dunlop said.

Police said Pappas fired at least two gunshots.

Durango police found Bowers at the Shell gas station at 602 Camino del Rio with an injury to his back. He also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, Dunlop said.

Bowers was taken to Mercy and released sometime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“Last report I heard was they were monitoring him before release,” Dunlop said Thursday morning. “He’s walking, talking and moving.”

Officers searched the area and eventually located Pappas and a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, Dunlop said.

Police released no further information Thursday.

bhauff@durangoherald.com