A mother and son have been charged after a man was found shot in both legs in bushland at West Wallsend on Thursday afternoon.
Brayden James Leschinkohl, 26, and his 48-year-old mother, Leah Vicki Leschinkohl, appeared in Toronto Local Court in handcuffs on Friday after they were charged over the shooting of a 39-year-old man off O'Donnelltown Road about 5.30pm.
Mr Leschinkohl is accused of being the gunman and has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a loaded firearm in a public place, while his mother has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to the shooting.
Neither entered pleas in court on Friday, but Mrs Leschinkohl made a successful application to be released on bail after agreeing to post a $5000 surety and report to police.
Mr Leschinkohl did not apply for bail and it was refused. Both matters were adjourned to Newcastle Local Court on November 20.
Lake Macquarie police say they were called to O'Donnelltown Road about 5.30pm on Thursday after reports of a shooting and discovered a man in bushland who had been shot in both legs.
Paramedics were called and treated the 39-year-old man at the scene, before he was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers were told the 39-year-old had allegedly met a 26-year-old man at the location but he drove off before police arrived. Both men were known to each other.
Police established a crime scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting. Officers were seen combing bushland in the area into the afternoon on Friday, September 27.
A short time later, two men, aged 23 and 33, were arrested at Seaham Street in Holmesville and questioned by police before being released without charge.
Mr Leschinkohl and his mother handed themselves into Toronto police station just after 7pm last night.
They were arrested and refused bail overnight by police before their matters were mentioned in court on Friday.
Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public as a result of the shooting.
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information into the incident have been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online portal.
