Shop worker will not be charged over shooting

Zhuo Feng Jiang heard a man demanding money from his mother and cousin. Photo / Alan Gibson

A Tokoroa takeaway shop worker who wrestled a gun from a robber and shot him in the leg will not face any charges, police announced this morning.

Zhuo Feng Jiang, whose family has owned the small South Waikato shop for more than 10 years, said he was in the store's chiller about 10pm on Monday when he heard a man demanding money from his mother and his cousin.

He said he waited for the man to walk past the door, then pounced on his back, knocking the rifle from his grip before firing at the ground.

When the man kept trying to get his gun back after being warned not to move, Mr Jian shot him in the leg.

Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce said police had completed a detailed investigation into the matter.

"We were unable to categorically rule out [charges] until the investigation had been completed and until all the information potentially available had been gathered and examined," he said.

"Unfortunately the early publicity and speculation over this particular issue has served only to cause further distress to this victim, and has overtaken what was a committed investigation by Tokoroa Detectives resulting in the arrest of two men within 24 hours of the offence".

A 29-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with assault with intent to rob, commission of a crime with a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He was found with a gunshot wound to the leg and taken under police guard to Waikato Hospital for treatment.

Police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said a lawyer acting for the man appeared in Hamilton District Court today.

The accused was remanded in custody to reappear on May 4, although it was not known if he would be released from hospital by then.

A 30-year-old man was also arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact.

He appeared in Tokoroa District Court on Wednesday where he entered no plea and was remanded on bail.

Liquor shop owner Virender Singh was cleared of having to stand trial after being arrested and charged following a brawl outside his shop.

Mr Singh was cleared of standing trial in March after a depositions hearing at the Manukau District Court.

Mr Singh's lawyer told the court that Mr Singh had acted in self defence when a group of teenager tried to rob his shop.

Justice of the Peace M. Sinclair said that the evidence presented by the police had been conflicting and contradictory and therefore there was no case for Mr Singh to answer.

- NZHERALD STAFF with NZPA