(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) A police photographer documents evidence as part of the investigation into Sunday's early-morning shooting, which occurred outside a Vietnamese restaurant in Railroad Square.

NASHUA — The arrest around 6 p.m. Monday of Brennan Bergerson, the 22-year-old Nashua man accused of shooting another man four times in Railroad Square in the wee hours of Sunday, comes just over three months after Bergerson pleaded guilty to drug- and alcohol-related charges in exchange for suspended sentences.

At his arraignment Tuesday in Hillsborough County Superior Court South, Bergerson, of 103 Cadogan Way, was ordered held on preventive detention pending his next court appearance on the new set of charges, four of which are Class A felony counts of first-degree assault. He is also charged with one count each of falsifying physical evidence and felonious use of firearms, both Class B felonies.

Police have not identified the man who Bergerson allegedly shot, nor have they given an update on his condition. He is believed to have sustained injuries that were considered serious, but not life-threatening, according to reports.

At Tuesday’s arraignment, Attorney Eric Wilson, who is representing Bergerson, told the court that Bergerson was attacked and struck in the head, and that he brandished the firearm in self-defense.

Indications are that Bergerson and the alleged victim don’t know each other, according to police reports cited in court.

Brennan Bergersen, 22, of 103 Cadogan Way, Nashua

If Bergerson is granted bail at some point, Judge Charles Temple set conditions that include he have no contact with the alleged victim, that he stay away from Railroad Square, and that he remain on good behavior.

Police, in announcing Bergerson’s arrest, said detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division were called to the scene and, “in collaboration with patrol officers,” collected numerous pieces of evidence that led to Bergerson as a suspect.

Investigators issued a warrant for Bergerson’s arrest, and when he learned of the warrant he turned himself in to police shortly after 6 p.m. Monday, according to Wilson.

Although the shooting, which occurred outside a Vietnamese restaurant and next to the Laton House, a large, four-story boarding house at 28 Railroad Square, took place just after 1 a.m., numerous people, many of them residents of the Laton House, were outside in the area. Some of them said they noticed an argument, the details of which have varied from source to source.

Some witnesses said a man allegedly brandished a gun and fired four times, with three of the four rounds striking the alleged victim in the chest, an arm and a leg.

Police ask anyone who may have additional information on the case to contact police via its Crime Line, 589-1665.

As for Bergerson’s earlier case, he was arrested by Nashua police on March 28 and charged with driving under the influence and for allegedly maintaining a premises where drugs are kept.

In July, Bergerson entered guilty pleas to the two charges as part of an agreement reached with prosecutors. He was sentenced to up to 12 months in jail, all suspended on conditions that include remaining on good behavior and receiving counseling.

His driver’s license was suspended for 9 months as part of the agreement.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.