Updated 10pm
A long-running property dispute is believed to have been the motive behind Friday’s shooting at Ta’ Giorni that left a police officer critically injured, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà said.
Addressing a press conference on Friday evening, Gafà revealed that investigators believe the alleged gunman had objected to construction taking place on neighbouring land.
The commissioner also provided further details about the dramatic armed standoff, confirming that 40-year-old police officer Johann Vella remains in intensive care after suffering gunshot wounds to the face, neck and leg.
A visibly emotional Gafà said the officer was in a critical condition.
“He is in danger of dying,” the commissioner said, adding that the thoughts and prayers of the police force were with Vella, his family and all the officers involved in the operation.
“Days like today remind us that policing is a dangerous profession, and we should all be grateful for the dedication and courage shown by our officers,” he said.
A second officer, Constable Omar Sharif, who was also injured during the incident, was treated at hospital and has since been discharged.
Police were initially called to Triq Joseph Carbone following reports of a fire near a construction site.
Officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit arrested 68-year-old George Agius at the scene. However, police said his brother, 74-year-old John Agius, remained inside the building and ignored repeated requests to surrender despite being warned that officers were about to enter.
When two officers entered the property, one was shot in the leg. Police returned fire, exchanging around a dozen shots with the suspect before the officers became trapped inside the building.
The Special Intervention Unit was subsequently deployed, while officers attempted to contact the suspect by mobile phone. After discovering that his phone was switched off, police used a loudspeaker to inform him that he was surrounded and under arrest, repeating the message at regular intervals for around 20 minutes as the trapped officers remained inside.
At around 12.30pm, officers attempted to enter the property through another access point. Police said the suspect again opened fire, striking Inspector Johann Vella in the face, neck and leg.
Negotiations continued for approximately 90 minutes before the suspect eventually surrendered to police.
Investigators believe the shooting was the culmination of a prolonged dispute over neighbouring land and the development taking place adjacent to the suspect’s property.
Police also recovered four licensed hunting shotguns from the residence and believe one of the firearms was used during the exchange of gunfire.
Earlier
A police officer was injured in a shooting incident at a construction site in Ta’ Giorni on Friday morning after officers responded to reports of a disturbance linked to an alleged construction dispute.
The incident occurred in Triq Joseph Carbone, close to The Malta Independent offices.
According to preliminary information, two men reportedly entered the construction site and set a fire during an apparent dispute. One of the suspects fled the scene on a motorcycle but was later intercepted by police, while the other remained at the site.
When police officers arrived, the man allegedly opened fire, injuring one officer.
A medical team was immediately dispatched to the scene, with paramedics seen providing treatment to an injured person before they were taken to hospital.
The area was placed under a heavy police presence as officers secured the scene, with further gunshots reportedly heard during the operation.
Construction workers who witnessed the incident described chaotic scenes, saying the suspect had started a fire beneath the building where they were working, leaving many visibly shaken.
Police closed several surrounding roads and urged motorists to avoid the area while the operation continued.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, and police have yet to issue further details on the condition of the injured officer or any arrests made.
The investigation is ongoing.
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