A drunk man who shot his friend in the knee with an air rifle in Alexandra early this morning will face an array of firearms charges.
The man had been drinking at a birthday party before the incident on Royal Terrace in the Central Otago town about 3.20am, Acting Inspector John Robinson of police southern communications said.
"A man with an air rifle in Alexandra was arrested after he was drunk and went for a walk and shot one of his friends in the knee, and was generally being a bit of a half-wit.
"He managed to find his way back to his house and he was arrested there a little bit later on. It had the potential to be quite serious."
Mr Robinson said the man would face "an array of firearms charges".
He said it was a classic case of booze, young people and firearms not mixing.
