Dad opposes guns on frontline

Iao Ali'imatafitafi with the ashes of his son, Michael. Photo / Chris Loufte

A man whose son was shot by police doesn't want further weapons available to officers.

They could not be trusted with the weapons they had, let alone more, he said. He wants his son's file re-opened.

Iao Ali'imatafitafi's son, Michael, was shot by police three times outside his North Shore house in 2004. His injuries were not life threatening but he took his own life in 2006.

The Police Complaints Authority found Sergeant Jason Charles Lunjevich was justified in shooting Ali'imatafitafi with his 9mm semi-automatic pistol because he posed an immediate threat to life.

Judge Ian Borrin said Ali'imatafitafi advanced towards police carrying a meat cleaver and a machete and it wasn't until the third bullet hit him in the torso that he collapsed 2m from Lunjevich.

However, Iao Ali'imatafitafi told the Herald on Sunday that he disarmed his son before he was shot.

The two men had refused to turn their music down and when police arrived, Iao Ali'imatafitafi smashed the stereo in front of them.

Iao said he was being forcibly arrested when his son emerged with the machete and meat cleaver. "He was trying to protect his father."