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Villa Tavern shooting suspect to appear for court hearing today

The man accused of shooting three people at the Villa Tavern in Huber Heights last week is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing today, records show.

RELATED: Villa Tavern Shooting: 3 gunshot victims ID'd, 4th man hurt speaks out

Michael J. Prater, 36, was arraigned Monday on eight counts of felonious assault stemming from the May 15 incident.

Police responded shortly after 10 p.m. to Villa Tavern, located at 6303 Rip Rap Road, after multiple people were shot when a gunman opened fire into a crowd listening to a live band outside the tavern.

RELATED: 911 callers describe chaos as shooter fires into crowd

More than half a dozen people called 911 to report the shooting, including a victim who was hit.

“Multiple gunshot injuries. I have been shot in the knee,” the caller said.

Three shooting victims were taken to Miami Valley Hospital and Grandview Medical Center. A fourth person was taken to a hospital with a medical issue.

Multiple witnesses at the tavern identified Prater as the shooter, according to court documents.

RELATED: Villa Tavern Shooting: Suspect's $1M bond reduced to $250,000

Police issued an arrested warrant for Prater on Friday and he was arrested later that night in Champaign County by U.S. Marshals and other police agencies.

A Montgomery County judge dropped Prater’s bond from $1 million to $250,000. He also entered a not guilty pleas on Prater’s behalf for all eight charges.

Prater will appear for his hearing at 1 p.m.

We will update this story with any details that emerge from today’s appearance.

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