Two men previously convicted of illegal gambling face charges that they tried to kill a man Tuesday morning outside a "numbers joint" in Aliquippa.

Frank P. Unis Jr., 54, and Duane Cope, 37, are charged with attempted homicide, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and two counts each of aggravated assault.

The two were arraigned before District Judge Joseph Schafer, who set bail at $250,000 for each suspect.

Mr. Unis posted bond and was released pending a preliminary hearing for the two suspects at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Beaver County Central Court.

The charges stem from the shooting Tuesday of Thomas Jeter, 50, of Aliquippa.

Mr. Jeter suffered a gunshot wound of the abdomen during an altercation around 10 a.m. outside a building in the 400 block of Franklin Avenue, just down the street from the city police station, said Det. Sgt. Don Couch.

Mr. Jeter was taken to UPMC Presbyterian, where he was admitted in critical condition.

Sgt. Couch said Mr. Jeter had been in an altercation with the two over a debt when both suspects pulled weapons, according to witnesses.

Although one eyewitness told police Mr. Unis shot Mr. Jeter, Mr. Cope said at the scene that he fired shots as well from his shotgun.

Police confiscated the shotgun, but Mr. Unis' weapon was not recovered, Sgt. Couch said.

While investigating the shooting, the detective inquired about the business in the building. He said Mr. Unis responded that it was a numbers joint he inherited from his late father.

With that information, police obtained search warrants related to the shooting with permission to search for gambling paraphernalia.

Police seized poker machines, cash and all other gambling devices from the building.

Charges related to illegal gambling are pending.

Both suspects in the shooting incident have criminal records that include illegal gambling.

First Published: October 23, 2008, 7:15 p.m.