SIU officer shot during police standoff no longer in critical condition

Special Intervention Unit officer Johann Vella, who sustained critical injuries during Friday's shooting is no longer in a critical condition.

Sources confirmed that Vella remains in the Intensive Therapy Unit at Mater Dei Hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to the face and neck. 

However, his condition has improved and is now reported to be stable.

Vella, along with Omar Sharif, were the two police officers injured on Friday during the shootout in Ta’ Giorni.

Sharif suffered light injuries.

The police officers were injured during a St Julian’s police operation on Friday afternoon, which has led to two individuals to be arrested.

One of the suspects was arrested immediately, while the other remained holed up and refused to give himself up. A number of officers descended on the location, after an operation the second individual gave himself up.

The standoff started after police and the Civil Protection Department responded to an alleged arson attack on construction workers. One of the suspects was involved in the arson incident.

Duty Magistrate Joe Mifsud was on site and is leading an inquiry.