Cannabis, gun charges in police shooting case

An Armed Offenders Squad member at the scene of the shooting. Photo / Simon Baker

Five new charges were laid against the Christchurch man accused of shooting two policemen and killing a police dog when he reappeared in Christchurch District Court this morning.

Christopher Graeme Smith, 34, a process worker of Phillipstown, indicated to Judge Noel Welsh that he might defend all the charges and was further remanded in custody for a post-committal conference on September 10, the Christchurch Court News website reported.

One officer shot in the jaw and one in the leg when they attempted to a search a property where cannabis cultivation was suspected.

Smith already faced charges of attempting to murder the police officers, killing police dog Gage, using a firearm against a third policeman, unlawful possession of an offensive weapon - a pig knife - and cultivating cannabis.

The new charges were unlawful possession of a Stirling .22 semi-automatic rifle, a .22 bolt-action rifle and a Mauser 6.55mm rifle, possession of cannabis and using a firearm against a fourth police officer.

On a further charge of possession of cannabis, he was remanded to a status hearing on August 10.

- NZPA