A Canberra man accused of a weekend shooting allegedly boasted to police that the wounded man would be dead if he had pulled the trigger.
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Michael Gordon Pallier, 26, is alleged to have told police he had a significant experience with firearms, despite not having a licence, and had access to weapons.
Pallier was arrested on Monday morning for allegedly shooting the man in the thigh at a Holt unit complex about 8.15pm on Sunday.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard the alleged victim suffered a broken femur and underwent surgery to fix the damage on Monday morning.
Pallier applied for bail when he faced court on Monday afternoon on charges of intentionally inflict grievous bodily harm, possessing a modified firearm, possessing 230 rounds of ammunition, and unlawfully discharging a gun.
Court documents said the alleged victim and a neighbour at the Holt unit complex had been involved in a dispute since an allegation of a sexual assault about New Year's Day.
There has been no formal complaint to police in relation to the allegation.
The dispute had resulted in a number of physical altercations, which flared up again on Sunday about 8pm as the alleged victim put his bins out.
Court documents said the neighbour threw a beer at the alleged victim, who responded by knocking the other man to the ground with a punch.
The neighbour regained his feet and attempted to entice the alleged victim to continue to fight.
About this time, Pallier allegedly arrived in a white Ford Fiesta, produced a firearm, and shot the alleged victim in the back of the thigh.
Witnesses allegedly described hearing a "pop" and then saw the alleged victim fall to the ground yelling: "You broke my leg".
Both Pallier and the neighbour then got in the car and drove away.
About 1.50pm, police located Pallier asleep on the floor in the lounge room of a Hawker unit.
Police allegedly found a loaded firearm hidden under the cushion of the lounge next to where Pallier had been sleeping.
Court documents said the weapon appeared to be home made, with a hand fashioned wooden stock and a 30-40cm metal barrel.
The court heard the weapon was seized and is awaiting forensic testing.
Police also allegedly found a bag, which witnesses said the shooter had carried, which contained 230 rounds of 0.22 calibre ammunition, consistent with the seized firearm.
Pallier underwent forensic procedures at Belconnen Police Station. He appeared in court wearing a white forensic jumpsuit on Monday afternoon.
Pallier allegedly participated in a taped record of interview with police about 3am, in which he asked if the alleged victim was alive.
Police allege Pallier had been aware that the alleged victim had been shot in the leg, despite police not providing that detail.
Pallier denied shooting the man, but agreed he had been involved in an altercation involving the two men.
Pallier – who does not have a firearms licence – allegedly told police that he had significant experience with firearms and the alleged victim would not be alive if he had shot him.
The prosecution opposed Pallier's bail application and a police witness told the court that investigators had not yet collected statements from the alleged victim or other witnesses to the alleged incident.
He said police had significant concerns Pallier could interfere or intimidate witnesses if released on bail.
But the defence argued the Hawker unit where the weapon and ammunition had been located was occupied by other residents.
Special Magistrate Maria Doogan refused bail on the grounds the accused could interfere with witnesses or endanger the safety of the community.
The police investigation into the shooting is continuing.
Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident but has not yet spoken to police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at act.crimestoppers.com.au.
