Business deal led to shooting incident

Guzi Gauci , 61 of Gharghur, appeared before a jury this morning to face charges of having attempted to murder Ronald Azzopardi following an argument over business in a Sliema office in February 2005.

The prosecution told the court that Mr Gauci had told the police in a statement that he had gone to Mr Azzopardi’s office to demand money he was owed for over two years. Mr Azzopardi allegedly took out a pistol from his desk drawer. A struggle ensued during which Mr Gauci took the pistol from him and two shots were fired, at the ceiling and the floor. Mr Azzopardi then ran out of his office with Mr Gauci following,

Prosecuting lawyer Anthony Barbara told the court, however, that it was actually Mr Gauci who took the pistol to Mr Azzopardi’s office and shot Mr Azzopardi on his right side, just below the armpit. When Mr Azzopardi ran out of his office Mr Gauci shot at him again, missing him but hitting a letter box.

Mr Azzopardi, who took the witness stand in the afternoon, denied Mr Gauci's version of events and insisted that he never owned a gun and did not have one in his office.