Man shot by police was 'playing a joke'

Police search for hidden bullets after the New Lynn shooting. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A man shot by police after allegedly presenting an airgun at them last month says he thought he was playing a joke on his brother.

Shannon Lawson, 38, re-appeared in Waitakere District Court today facing several charges following the incident in the West Auckland suburb of New Lynn on July 18.

Lawson today admitted charges of burglary, male assaults female and carrying an airgun.

But his lawyer, John Cagney, told the court Lawson would defend the charge of using a gun against a police officer.

"He didn't know that he was being confronted by police when he came out," Mr Cagney said

"He thought it was his brother and he was playing a joke on him because his brother played a joke on him earlier."

A new charge of assaulting a police officer in order to avoid arrest was also laid today.

Lawson was remanded in custody and will re-appear in court next month.

- NZPA