11 persons injured in shooting incident at Imqabba
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.comCurrent Affairs -- 21 December 2008 -- 09:35CEST
UPDATED 1430h: 31-year-old Carmel Saliba from Kirkop was arrested by the police after opening fire on the PN Club in Imqabba injuring 11 persons amongst whom 2 persons who suffered grievous injuries.
The incident happened at around 2200h on Saturday, 20 December. The 31-year-old allegedly had an 
argument with another man at the PN Club in Imqabba. The police were called on site and as the man drove his car towards the club’s façade, they directed the people in the street to go inside the club and close the door as a precaution.
The Kirkop man went to his car fetched a shotgun and fired a number of shots at the club. Police officers on site got hold of the firearm and the man was arrested soon after.
A 32-year-old woman from Mqabba and a 40-year-old man from Safi suffered grievous injuries however they are not in danger of dying.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, PN Secretary General Paul Borg Olivier, Police Commissioner John Rizzo as well as a number of PN officials visited the PN club.
In a statement Partit Laburista said that PL leader Joseph Muscat phoned the PN head and expressed the party’s solidarity. He later visited the club in Mqabba.
Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party in a statement condemned the shooting incident. AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola said that the country can no longer tolerate individuals who decide to take the law into their hands. “The rule of law, and not that of the jungle, should be the hallmark of a democratic and pluralistic society” he added.
The Imqabba Local Council in a statement also condemned the violent incident. It stated that such incidents only serve at giving a bad name to the tranquil village as the persons who at the time were inside the premises together with their families now live in fear.
The statement, signed by Imqabba mayor Noel Galea and the council’s Executive Secretary Anthony Bonello, urged on the authorities to uphold justice.
Whilst condemning the incident, the Nationalist Party thanked the Police force for their prompt action.
Magistrate Dr Silvio Meli is leading an inquiry assisted by a number of experts.
argument with another man at the PN Club in Imqabba. The police were called on site and as the man drove his car towards the club’s façade, they directed the people in the street to go inside the club and close the door as a precaution. The Kirkop man went to his car fetched a shotgun and fired a number of shots at the club. Police officers on site got hold of the firearm and the man was arrested soon after.
A 32-year-old woman from Mqabba and a 40-year-old man from Safi suffered grievous injuries however they are not in danger of dying.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, PN Secretary General Paul Borg Olivier, Police Commissioner John Rizzo as well as a number of PN officials visited the PN club.
In a statement Partit Laburista said that PL leader Joseph Muscat phoned the PN head and expressed the party’s solidarity. He later visited the club in Mqabba.
Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party in a statement condemned the shooting incident. AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola said that the country can no longer tolerate individuals who decide to take the law into their hands. “The rule of law, and not that of the jungle, should be the hallmark of a democratic and pluralistic society” he added.
The Imqabba Local Council in a statement also condemned the violent incident. It stated that such incidents only serve at giving a bad name to the tranquil village as the persons who at the time were inside the premises together with their families now live in fear.
The statement, signed by Imqabba mayor Noel Galea and the council’s Executive Secretary Anthony Bonello, urged on the authorities to uphold justice.
Whilst condemning the incident, the Nationalist Party thanked the Police force for their prompt action.
Magistrate Dr Silvio Meli is leading an inquiry assisted by a number of experts.