Two Salina men were arrested Wednesday night after an alleged confrontation that escalated into an altercation involving a firearm.

According to a report by Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan, Kip Fiegel, 46, of Salina, an employee of Farmers and Ranchers at 1429 W. Old Highway 40, met an acquaintance, Michael Hinks, 49, also of Salina, in a parking lot across the street from the business at about 11:18 p.m. Wednesday.

The two men allegedly began drinking in the parking lot, Soldan said, and when Fiegel decided Hinks shouldn't drive home in an intoxicated condition, a confrontation ensued. Fiegel allegedly punched Hinks several times to prevent him from driving away, and Hinks pulled a handgun from his truck and allegedly hit Fiegel on the head with it and put the barrel in Fiegel's mouth.

Hinks then turned the gun away from Fiegel and discharged it in the parking lot, Soldan said. In the meantime, Fiegel went to his own truck and called the Saline County Sheriff's Office. When deputies arrived, both men were standing calmly next to their trucks, Soldan said.

After an investigation, deputies arrested both men. Fiegel faces a recommended charge of battery, and Hinks faces multiple recommended charges that include aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm while under the influence and criminal discharge of a firearm.