Notebook stops killer bullet

JOHN SELKIRK

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry holds a photograph of Darren Thomas Court, who police are still seeking in relation to the shooting.

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Constable Jeremy Snow's decision to put a notebook in his breast pocket proved the difference between life and death for the wounded officer.

The 28-year-old is recovering in Middlemore Hospital after being shot three times in a surprise attack in Papatoetoe on Tuesday.

It can now be revealed that he was shot a fourth time – in the chest. The bullet was stopped by the 2.5-centimetre-thick police issue notebook in his pocket, and his stabproof vest.

Police have not made information about the shot public, but a police source said the track of the bullet was discovered in Mr Snow's uniform and effects as he was readied for surgery.

The bullet stopped at the vest above his heart. Police have not found the bullet.

The vest had not been fully examined yesterday and forensic teams were still scouring the Buckingham Cres property.

Yesterday a 28-year-old man was charged with attempted murder in a bedside hearing, also at Middlemore Hospital, after he was mauled by a police dog.

He was granted name suppression.

Police are also hunting for Darren Thomas Court, 43, who was believed to be at the scene during the shooting.

Mr Snow, who is just a year into the job, was shot in each leg and the elbow. One shot punctured his femoral artery and Counties Manukau district commander Mike Bush said he would have bled to death if not for his fellow officers, who dashed 50 metres on to a property to rescue him before the gunman was caught.

He remained in the intensive care unit of Middlemore Hospital last night and was described as groggy and very unwell. But he has already vowed to return to the job he loves.

He has received a stream of visitors, including his sister, who flew in from Australia yesterday.

Police Minister Judith Collins also visited. "The first thing he said to me was 'I'm not quitting' ... Jeremy is clearly a very brave officer," she said.

Mr Snow's father, David Snow, said his son had told him he never lost consciousness during the whole event. He had not realised at the time how close he was to death.

All frontline staff wear stabproof vests as part of their uniform.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said it was not unusual for a vest to stop a bullet, and this event showed how valuable the vests were.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry is heading the inquiry.

He refused to reveal the motivation behind the shooting.

Three firearms were recovered at the scene and "we found a number of items in the surrounding areas in various places", he said.

Neither the arrested man nor Court lived at the property where the shooting occurred.

The accused man was remanded in custody to reappear in court on January 12.

Mr Gutry said police spoke to another man immediately after the shooting. He has not been charged.

Court was already wanted for arrest for car theft and other "behaviour offences", he said. He warned people not to approach Court if seen.

- © Fairfax NZ News