KEY POINTS:
A Rotorua man shot in the face, then pistol whipped with a high-powered air gun in an apparent road-rage attack says he still fears for his safety and wants to "lay low".
The man - who does not want to be named - told the Herald he is also concerned for his family's safety, despite an arrest in the case.
"A couple of the kids have had disturbed sleep and one has had a few behavioural issues so you can understand why we're just trying to lay low."
He said he was dumbfounded by the interest in the attack on him.
"I didn't know it was going to be as big a deal as this but I kind of realised it's not every day that this kind of thing happens," he said. "I got to walk away from it so I can count my blessings."
The man was shot once in the face and in the arm, before being beaten with the pistol on November 13. He was treated in hospital and later discharged.
A 49-year-old man - who the Herald understands has connections with a Bay of Plenty motorcycle gang - has been in custody since the weekend after being arrested by Rotorua police.
He was to appear in court in Rotorua today charged with attempted murder.
Detective Sergeant John Wilson of Rotorua CIB said the alleged offender was also facing other charges but refused to elaborate.
