Shot ... the mother of a gunman shot dead by police has apologised to Senior Constable David McHenry (left) and a second officer wounded in the gun battle.
Gunman dies, police injured, in shootout
Gunman`s mum tells officers `I`m so sorry`
But she`s angry event is now a union cause
A TEARFUL mother has apologised to two police officers caught in a gun battle that left her son dead.
Bobby Cobani, who lost her only child in the shootout, said her heart went out to 24-year-old probationary officer Adam McKenzie and a senior constable who was shot in the leg.
"I feel so sorry for that rookie," Ms Cobani said yesterday.
"For that rookie to have this happen on his first night (on duty) is an horrific thing to deal with."
Ms Cobani said she was also sorry for Sen-Constable David McHenry, who was released from hospital yesterday after being hit in the leg.
Drug dealer Samir Ograzden, 25, was killed in the shootout in South Melbourne on Tuesday night after firing at the two officers.
Ms Cobani said she was devastated by the death of her son. "I`m a mother whose son went bad," she said, in tears.
"I know my son did the wrong thing. I`m devastated.
"I`ve always known him as someone who`d do anything for anyone. I loved him to bits."
Ms Cobani thanked the homicide squad for being "gentle" and showing her such kindness.
She said investigators warned her the Police Association would use the shootout to demand the force`s standard Smith & Wesson revolvers be replaced with semi-automatic pistols.
Union secretary Sen-Sgt Paul Mullett claimed Sen-Constable McHenry was shot as he tried to reload his six-shot revolver - a claim denied by Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon.
Ms Cobani said she was angry her son`s death was being exploited for the union campaign.
"The police told me he will be used to get the police semi-automatics . . . I don`t think he should be used like that."
Ms Cobani said she did not condone her son`s crimes, but did not want him remembered as just a criminal.
"He was a boy whose father had left the family soon after his son`s birth, and who had missed a role model," she said.
"He`d been widely liked and respected, but drifted into drugs while still at school.
"My son at 17, 18 was the most wonderful person and everyone loved him. I`m trying to reconcile what my son was and what he became."
Ograzden, who served two jail terms and faced fresh charges for violence and drugs, was in a car with two other men in Clarendon St when they were pulled up for making an illegal turn.
Inside the car was a shotgun, drugs and thousands of dollars in cash.
Ograzden ran off then pulled out a .22 calibre semi-automatic pistol and fired at the police chasing him.
At first, it was believed Constable McKenzie fired the fatal shot. Detectives yesterday said they did not know which officer fired the bullet that hit Ograzden, who bled to death in a car park under the West Gate Bridge.
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Shot ... the mother of a gunman shot dead by police has apologised to Senior Constable David McHenry (left) and a second officer wounded in the gun battle.
