MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) - The man accused of shooting and wounding two Manchester police officers pleaded not guilty after being charged with two counts of attempted capital murder.

Ian MacPherson, 32, is accused of attempted capital murder and opted out of appearing in court on Monday for his hearing. He is being held without bail.

According to police, MacPherson shot two Manchester officers after one approached him last Friday because he matched a description in a gas station robbery. Court documents reveal that MacPherson legally purchased a gun and 50 rounds of ammunition last month. The shooting shut down an entire Manchester neighborhood and closed nearby schools as police searched.

The two police officers MacPherson allegedly shot, Matthew O’Connor and Ryan Hardy, both came to court. They were joined by fellow officers, who attended to support them.

McPherson’s father is raising questions about his son’s mental health, saying the system failed him and the officers.

“He’s been suffering from mental issues for a long, long time,” Russell MacPherson, Ian’s father, said Monday. “Hopefully he’s going to get help with that. We’re going to be there for him.”

A probable cause hearing will be held Friday, May 27.

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