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1 seriously injured, 2 others face charges after alleged fight near Boston bar

BOSTON — A man was seriously injured in a late-night fight outside a Boston bar and two people are facing charges, according to Boston police.

Police were called to 171 Milk Street sometime after 11 p.m. Thursday, near Coogan’s bar, for reports of a man in his 20s with a serious head injury stemming from a fight, police said. The man was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries but is now in stable condition, according to officials.

Police say the altercation may have started outside the bar, which is near Faneuil Hall, but the investigation is still active. Police blocked off part of the street near the bar and several evidence markers were visible just after the alleged incident.

Boston police confirmed that two people were arrested in connection to the incident and appeared in court on Friday.

They were identified as Anthony Papa and Alexander Jaynes, a manager and employee at Coogan’s Pub. Both are facing charges for assault and battery with serious bodily injury.

In court Friday, prosecutors said the victim was intoxicated and tried to re-enter the bar when Papa and Jaynes attacked him. Police say the attack was caught on the restaurant’s surveillance and a witness also recorded it on their cellphone.

“The victim fell backward striking his head on the pavement as Mr. Papa landed on top of him. The victim appeared to be unconscious from his fall and lay motionless on the pavement," prosecutors allege.

Police gather outside Coogan's bar on Milk Street in Boston Thursday night after a man sustained a serious head injury in a reported fight.

Prosecutors said both employees repeatedly struck the victim in the head and reportedly only stopped after bystanders yelled out to them that he was unconscious.

Boston 25 News tried to speak with Papa’s mother and sister in court Friday. They told us the men were acting in self-defense.

Prosecutors say Papa has no criminal record and Jaynes has one minor incident. They are being held on $50,000 each. As of Friday evening, the victim remained hospitalized.