Shooting victim talks of incident

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 6, 26 August 1988, Page 5

Shooting victim talks of incident

From page 3 ficer then at Mr Sutton. He fired at the ground, from the car, then again. The first offender then got into the car and "they took off at high speed firing a third shot as they went". "Basically Ian saved himself. He burst out of the car - as far as I'm concerned I just happen to have prevented anything further happening to him," said Mr Sutton. "He had kept his head and had saved himself by getting out of the car." Mr Sutton said both the men had been in the patrol car earlier. He said Mr Harrison's throat was very swollen, that his voice was croaking. Mr Sutton said the first shot went through the leg of his trousers and the second shot bounced off the ground, into his leg. Mr Sutton said the bullet was still lodged in his lower calf, but that he was having no trouble walking. He said there wasn't much damage. He said he didn't believe the man intended to shoot him, just scare Mr Harrison and himself. Mr Sutton said the incident probably took about 30 to 40 seconds. He said some cars went past while the incident was happening but other cars stopped to offer support. "First reaction seeing the gun? Probably disbe-

lief and overall, absolute anger" said Mr Sutton in answer to a reporter. He said he had a deep-rooted objection to pistols because their sole purpose was to shoot people as opposed to other firearms which are most often designed for hunting. "We're very fortunate to have such good gun laws," said Mr Sutton. Mr Sutton and his family returned to Ohakune five months ago after spending three years in Australia, where he said the gun laws are not as good as in New Zealand. "We prefer the quite of the country," said Mr Sutton. "I feel sorry for people that have to resort to violence to sort out an issue, but I have iio particular animosity towards (the offenders) - I don't know them." "I'm glad I was able to assist Ian." Mr Sutton said he had suffered far worse pain from skiing than from the bullet wound. He said the bullet wound might make him push forward in his ski boot more! Mr Sutton praised the police who answered the call to the incident, and the people of Ohakune who have been supportive of him and his family after the incident. Ohakune police told the reporters that Mr Harrison did not wish to be interviewed at this stage.