Shooting in selfdefence, court hears

A MAN at the centre of a shooting in Southland on Thursday night has said through counsel he was acting in selfdefence, a court heard yesterday.

The 34yearold man, who has been granted interim name suppression, appeared before Judge Peter Rollo in the Invercargill District Court yesterday on one charge of wounding with intent.

Court documents state the shooting took place at Kapuka.

Defence counsel Scott Williamson said the man admitted he was the shooter with the incident taking place at his house.

‘There is no doubt the defendant has shot the complainant.

‘‘He’s been made to act in selfdefence.’’

The man agreed to be remanded in custody as police were still to investigate the address and talk to the various people involved with Mr Williamson adding he believed police would have concerns regarding the man interfering with witnesses if he was to be remanded on bail.

However, Mr Williamson asked for a short remand and added he would be applying for bail for his client at his next appearance.

The man had no previous convictions, he said.

Judge Rollo remanded the man in custody without plea to appear on May 31 and ordered him not to contact the victim.

A statement released earlier yesterday said police were called to a Kapuka address about 10.20pm on Thursday after reports of a firearm incident. The armed offenders squad was deployed.

One person received a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to Southland Hospital where they were receiving treatment for nonlife threatening injuries.

The offender and the victim were known to each other, the statement said.

Police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the shooting.