By Angela Beswick
It has been revealed that Constable Jeremy Snow was shot a fourth time during the surprise attack in South Auckland on Tuesday morning.
The 28-year-old is recovering in Middlemore Hospital, after he was shot in both legs and an elbow while on routine patrol. One shot punctured his femoral artery, and he was left bleeding where he fell while his partner ran for help.
A fourth bullet which struck Mr Snow in the chest, is understood to have been stopped by a 2.5cm thick police issue notebook – which he had fatefully decided to put in his breast pocket before the incident – and his stab proof vest.
The bullet stopped at the vest above his heart, The Dominion Post reported. Police have yet to recover it.
The vest, which is part of standard uniform for all frontline police, had not been fully examined yesterday and forensic teams were still scouring the Buckingham Cres property.
Mr Snow has had a stream of visitors, including Police Minister Judith Collins who says he has already vowed to return to the job he loves.
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘I’m not quitting’,” she says. “Jeremy is clearly a very brave officer.”
Mr Snow's father, David Snow, said his son had told him he never lost consciousness during the whole event.
He had not realised at the time how close he was to death.
A 28-year-old man, who has been granted name suppression, has been charged with attempted murder in a bedside hearing. He is recovering in Middlemore after he was mauled by a police dog.
Police are still hunting a second man, 43-year-old Darren Thomas Court, who was believed to be at the scene during the shooting.
There are warrants out for his arrest in relation to other offences.
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If you have any information in relation to the whereabouts of Darren Thomas Court, please contact Counties Manukau Police on (09) 295 0200.