The Atlantis Magistrate's Court became a battlefield yesterday when one man shot another and then turned his gun on police officers.

Yesterday's drama unfolded at about 11.30am when a man who is alleged to be a member of the Mongrel gang was approached by another man who pulled out a gun. The pair struggled, and a shot went off, Atlantis station commissioner Senior Superintendent Leroy Nolan said.

Court officials and a sector police vehicle responded to the shot, but as they approached the scene, the shooter ran off. Police followed suit and were shot at by the suspect.

Police give chase and arrested the 17-year-old youth, who is thought to be a Fancy Boy gang member, in connection with the attempted murder.