Two men have been arrested following a shooting in the Ta’ Giorni area of San Ġwann on Friday morning, during which two police officers were injured.
The incident unfolded in Triq Joseph Carbone, close to a construction site, and led to a major police operation lasting several hours.
According to initial reports, two Maltese men approached the construction site. One of them allegedly set fire to material beneath workers who were operating above ground, reportedly amid anger over the ongoing construction works.
One man then left the scene on a motorcycle. Prime Minister Robert Abela later said that he had been intercepted by police and arrested shortly after the incident.
The second man remained at the site.
Two officers injured after shots fired
Police officers were called to the area following reports of the disturbance.
When they arrived, the armed man allegedly opened fire, injuring two members of the Police Force.
One officer was initially reported to be in a very serious condition after suffering injuries to the face and neck. The condition of the second injured officer was not immediately confirmed.
Emergency medical teams were sent to the scene, and paramedics were seen treating an injured person on the ground.
Workers describe frightening scenes
Construction workers at the site were reportedly working inside the basket of a crane when the disturbance began.
The crane operator said the workers urgently asked him to lift them higher after noticing that a man was setting fire to material beneath them.
After the workers were lowered towards street level, gunshots were heard, creating panic among those present.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident and the suspected motive remain subject to a police investigation.
Major police operation in San Ġwann
A heavy police presence was deployed around Ta’ Giorni, including armed officers and specialist personnel positioned at street level and on nearby rooftops.
Several roads surrounding the area were closed, while the police cordon was expanded as the operation continued. Motorists and members of the public were urged to avoid the area and follow instructions issued by the authorities.
The armed suspect remained at the scene while police worked to bring the situation under control.
Prime Minister confirms second arrest
During the operation, Prime Minister Robert Abela said emergency services and members of the Police Force were working to control the situation.
He asked the public to follow instructions from the authorities, stay away from the affected area and allow emergency personnel to carry out their work safely.
In a later statement, the Prime Minister confirmed that the situation had been brought under control and that the armed man involved in the incident had been arrested after police officers entered the property.
This means that both men allegedly involved in the incident are now under arrest.
Abela said his thoughts were with the two injured police officers and their families. He also expressed his full support for the members of the Police Force involved in the operation, adding that justice must now take its course.
Police investigations are continuing as officers work to establish the full sequence of events.
