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A Malden man is charged with shooting another man during a Downtown Crossing fight that proved to be "the violent denouement to a running conflict" in several night clubs late Saturday and early Sunday, the Suffolk County DA's office reports.

Jarri L. Cash, 26, pleaded innocent in Boston Municipal Court today to unlawful possession of a firearm and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. His victim was taken away from the parking lot at Washington and Avenue de Lafayette in critical condition after Cash shot him before the guy could throw "a large piece of concrete" at Cash, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors allege the two men belonged to separate groups that had engaged in a night of arguments at local nightclubs.

When the clubs closed for the night and patrons mingled in the streets, they became involved in a physical clash with Cash's foe prevailing.

The men went separate ways but soon encountered one another again. In the altercation that followed, Cash emerged the victor and went to his 1997 Nissan. At about this time, the shooting victim returned with a large piece of concrete and appeared ready to throw it at Cash, who retrieved a handgun from beneath his seat and fired it, hitting the victim multiple times in the chest and arm.

Prosecutors do allow as how Cash approached responding Boston police officers and told them he had shot the other man.