Man in court over Canberra Hospital shots

A Canberra man who allegedly wrestled a gun from a police officer and fired it while under guard in a Canberra hospital denies two attempted murder charges.

James William Shearer, 26, of Chisholm, appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday following Wednesday night's incident which sent the hospital's emergency department into a temporary lockdown.

As well as the two counts of attempted murder, he is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, discharging a firearm endangering life and attempting to escape from custody or arrest.

He is also charged with culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm, attempted robbery, driving a car without consent and unlicensed driving.

His lawyer Paul Edmonds said Shearer pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charges, but did not enter pleas to any of the other charges.

Shearer was under police guard at the Canberra Hospital following his arrest for traffic offences when he allegedly assaulted the police officers, firing one of the officer's weapons.

The hospital's emergency department is operating, with minor damage to one area.

The case will return to court on August 10.