Inspector Kurt Colombo Zahra took the witness stand on Thursday afternoon, recounting the tense negotiations that led to the arrest of John Agius during a St Julian’s standoff.

Zahra also recounted the harrowing moment police officer Johann Vella was struck in the face by gunfire, describing how blood poured from his facial wound as fellow officers dragged him to safety.

Agius, 74, stands accused of the attempted murder of police officers Johann Vella and Omar Sharif, arson, endangering and threatening construction workers, and unlawfully discharging a firearm.

Zahra explained although he was not an investigator in the case, he had been called to the scene to act as primary negotiator, tasked with securing a peaceful resolution while minimising the risk to everyone involved. Zahra explained that he was assisted by Inspector Stephen Giulia, who served as secondary negotiator.

Zahra found the road cordoned off, with RIU officers already taking cover behind a wall. Their firearms were aimed at the building where the suspect had barricaded himself. Zahra told the court Officer Omar Sharif, had already been shot in the thighs but did not require immediate medical assistance at that stage. 

With only the suspect’s name known, Zahra managed to obtain John Agius’s mobile number from his brother, George Agius, who was also at the scene. However, attempts to contact Agius were unsuccessful and his phone was unreachable after two calls.

Zahra then used a loudspeaker to inform Agius that the building was surrounded by police, repeatedly instructing him on how to surrender safely. Receiving no response, he moved closer to the residence, believing the suspect might not have heard the instructions. 

Meanwhile, Special Intervention Unit (SIU) officers arrived to extract the RIU officers trapped behind the wall. Zahra testified that just seconds into the operation, he heard a gunshot and saw it being fired from a window. He recalled the bullet striking a vehicle door and sending debris flying from a nearby wall. 

Zahra recalled watching Johann Vella fall backwards after being shot, as fellow officers rushed to drag him towards an ambulance further down the road, leaving a trail of blood behind. The inspector told the court he saw blood pouring from the right side of Vella’s face. 

Despite the shooting, Zahra continued his attempts to negotiate with Agius, eventually calling out through a loudspeaker: “If you wish to communicate so that we can find a peaceful resolution, move the window curtain.”

Moments later, the curtain moved. Zahra instructed Agius to switch on his mobile phone, and the suspect answered, establishing the first two-way communication between the two.

During the conversation, Agius spoke of grievances relating to his property and complaints he claimed to have raised with the police over the years. 

Doubting Zahra’s presence at the scene, he demanded that Zahra move to a building opposite his residence so he could see him. Agius eventually agreed to allow the officers trapped behind the wall to withdraw but demanded that all police leave the area, insisting he would surrender himself at police headquarters. Zahra told him this was impossible, particularly as two officers had been injured.

Agius then insisted Zahra personally arrest him.

Armed officers were instructed to step back as Zahra sought assurances that Agius would emerge unarmed and comply with police instructions. Taking cover behind a parked vehicle, Zahra and other officers approached the residence, instructing Agius to extend his hands before opening the door fully and emerging slowly. 

Agius was eventually arrested. Zahra confirmed that he was subsequently informed of his rights and given the police caution.

Ballistic experts testify

Ballistics experts Ian Farrugia and Patrick Farrugia also testified about their examination of the firearms and bullet trajectories to establish the origin of the gunfire. It was established that 12 shots had been fired and that the shot that struck Johann Vella had been fired from approximately 12 metres away, from the accused’s kitchen window.

The experts carried out forensic examinations at the scene, taking photographs, preparing sketches and examining firearms recovered from the premises. They also inspected a police vehicle struck by gunfire and visited the hospital, where they examined Johann Vella and photographed his X-rays alongside a medical expert.

Several exhibits were presented in court, including firearms, ammunition, cartridge samples, a spectacle lens, a pair of gloves and a lead pellet recovered from Vella’s wound. The experts also confirmed that ethanol swabs had been taken from the recovered firearms on 27 July and handed over to another expert for gunshot residue analysis.

Sergeant Darren Debattista also testified about documenting the police operation using drone footage and photographs to assist in producing a three-dimensional reconstruction of the crime scene. The material was presented in court on a USB drive.

The prosecution was led by Inspectors Joseph Mercieca, Christian Xuereb and Stephen Gulia, assisted by Attorney General lawyers Kaylee Bonett and Joseph Camilleri Azarov. 

Defence Lawyers Franco Debono and Herman Mula appeared as parte civile for Johann Vella.

Lawyers Anthea Bonnici Zammit and Paul Camilleri appeared as parte civile for Omar Sharif.

Lawyer Thomas Sant appeared for the accused John Aguis. Lawyers Nicholai Bugeja u Nicole Zammit appeared as parte civile for the construction workers.

Magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil is presiding over the case.