Police officer injured in Ta' Giorni shooting out of ITU
Johann Vella suffered injuries to face and neck in dramatic stand-off
The police officer who was seriously injured during a shoot-out in the Ta' Giorni area of St Julian's has been released from the Intensive Care Unit.
A police spokesperson confirmed that Johann Vella, who suffered injuries to his face and neck during Friday's dramatic stand-off, had been released from the ITU on Monday.
Vella and fellow officer Omar Sharif, who suffered slight injuries, were shot while responding to the incident.
The officers had been called to Triq Joseph Carbone after reports that a man had set fire to material beneath workers operating in a crane basket at a neighbouring construction site, apparently in protest over ongoing works. When police arrived, the armed suspect allegedly opened fire, hitting Sharif before Special Intervention Unit sergeant Vella was shot in the face, neck and leg as officers moved in to contain the situation.
The incident sparked a tense 90-minute stand-off, during which several officers were tapped inside the building while trained police negotiators attempted to persuade the gunman to surrender. The suspect eventually gave himself up peacefully and was arrested, while a second man who had left the scene on a motorbike was also later arrested.
On Sunday, 74-year-old St Julian's resident John Agius was arraigned in court and pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, injuring the two police officers, arson, threatening construction workers, resisting arrest, illegally discharging a firearm and other related charges. Prosecutors told the court that Agius allegedly refused repeated police orders to emerge before opening fire and trapping officers inside the property during the stand-off.
Police also told the court they recovered four shotguns and two revolvers registered in Agius's name, with investigators believing one of the weapons was used in the shooting. No request for bail was made and the court issued protection orders in favour of the injured officers and several construction workers. Agius's brother, George, is expected to be arraigned separately.