Two officers injured in Ta’ Giorni shooting named

Updated 4.43pm

The two police officers injured in the Ta’Giorni shooting have been named as Sergeant Johann Vella and Constable Omar Sharif as the Malta Police Union issued an urgent appeal for blood donations.

A police spokesperson said one officer was in a “very serious condition” after being shot in the face and neck while the second officer was slightly injured.

Sources told Times of Malta that Johann Vella is "fighting for his life".

Earlier a police spokesperson said the officer was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital and was being operated on. 

PS 834 Johann Vella is part of the anti-terrorism squad and twice a week is assigned as security detail to Judge Edwina Grima during the Yorgen Fenech trial.

Last year, Vella, who is a qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor, was presented with the Health and Wellness Advocate Award as part of the annual Police Awards for his passionate promotion of physical and mental wellbeing.

He is also a functional training and fitness nutrition specialist.

He played a key role in integrating sports and wellness into daily police routines through regular fitness sessions.

Repubblika co-founder Robert Aquilina said he got to know Vella two years ago and highlighted his "strong sense of duty and discipline, as well as his passion for sport and fitness training". 

"From the very beginning, it was clear from the way he spoke that he was proud to be part of a specialised unit within the Police Corps. Stay strong, Sir!" Aqulina said.

Sharif was one of four police officers deployed to France last year at the request of French National Police to assist in a security operation during the United Nations Ocean conference in Nice.

Omar Sharif (left) and Johann Vella. Photo: Malta Police Force Employees/Facebook

While in Nice, Sharif and the other three Maltese officers worked hand in hand with the French police, including in vehicle patrols and on foot, assisting in a bomb threat, a traffic accident and in a case related to cannabis trafficking.

In a statement following Friday’s shooting, the Malta Police Union urged all elgible persons to donate blood in support of “our colleagues who were seriously injured in the line of duty”.

Police officers responded to the Malta Police Union's appeal to donate blood for their injured colleagues. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The union said there is an “especially urgent need for O negative blood donors”, although “all blood groups are greatly appreciated and may help save lives”.

Blood donations can be made at the National Blood Transfusion Centre, St Luke’s Square, G’Mangia.

Police officers were seen queuing to donate blood on Friday afternoon to assist their injured colleagues. 

Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield went to Mater Dei Hospital on Friday afternoon to visit the injured officers and their family.