BANGOR – A Dexter man accused of trying to kill his son remained behind bars Monday evening on $20,000 cash bail after a brief appearance in 3rd District Court.

Wayne Elliott, 57, was not required to enter a plea to the attempted murder charge stemming from an incident Friday evening in which he allegedly fired several shots at his son after an argument at the defendant’s home on Upper Garland Road.

During Monday’s proceedings, Judge Ann Murray set Elliott’s bail at $100,000 in property or $20,000 cash.

Penobscot County Assistant District Attorney Greg Campbell said that the dispute began when Elliott’s son, William Elliott, arrived at his father’s Dexter home to collect some of this mother’s belongings after a family dispute.

The elder Elliott allegedly hit his son in the head with a flashlight, and after a brief altercation, pointed a pistol at his son at close range and pulled the trigger, prosecutors said.

The gun did not fire, according to Campbell, who said the son then fled the residence followed by several bullets, many of which struck his car.

William Elliot was not injured.

The case will likely go before the Penobscot County grand jury next month, at which time Wayne Elliott could face additional charges, Campbell said.