Property dispute may have sparked Ta' Giorni shooting, police say
Police reveal new details of armed standoff that left Sergeant Johann Vella fighting for his life
A property dispute may have been the motive behind Friday's shooting in St Julian's, police said, as they revealed new details about the armed confrontation that left one officer critically injured.
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà outlined the suspected motive during a press conference on Friday evening, saying investigators believe the alleged gunman had objected to development on neighbouring land.
The commissioner also gave a fuller account of the incident, confirming that 40-year-old police officer Johann Vella remained in intensive care after being shot in the face, neck and leg.
A visibly emotional Gafà told reporters that Vella "is danger of dying."
"In this moment our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues, our colleague who is in the intensive therapy unit, his family and all the police who were on site," he said.
"Days like today remind you that our job can be dangerous and that is why we need to be grateful for our police."
The second injured officer, Constable Omar Sharif, was in a stable condition and has been released from hospital, he added.
Police had been called to the Ta' Giorni area following reports of a fire near a construction site. Officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit responded and arrested 68-year-old George Agius at the scene.
According to police, the suspected gunman, 74-year-old John Agius, George's brother, remained inside the building and ignored repeated calls from officers, who warned they were about to enter the property.
When two officers entered the building, one was shot in the leg. Police returned fire, exchanging about 12 shots with the suspect before the officers became trapped inside.
The Special Intervention Unit was called in to assist. Officers attempted to contact the suspect by mobile phone, but it was switched off. They then used a megaphone to tell him he was surrounded and under arrest, repeating the calls every minute or so for about 20 minutes while the trapped officers remained inside.
At around 12.30pm, officers attempted to enter another part of the building. Police said the suspect opened fire again, striking Vella in the face, neck and leg.
Negotiations continued for about 90 minutes before the suspect surrendered.
Police said investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a long-running dispute over neighbouring land, with the suspect having objected to development adjacent to the property.
Gafà also said officers recovered four licensed hunting shotguns from the property. Police believe one of the weapons was used during the exchange of fire.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.