Fiona Galea Debono
'It was like something out of a movie'
PN club barman recounts shooting incident
It was a "miracle of Christmas" that those inside the Mqabba Nationalist Party club survived when a staff party turned into a "Western-style" shooting on Saturday night, barman Antoine Farrugia told The Times yesterday.
His sister, 33-year-old mother Sylvana Callus who was seriously injured in the shooting, could be home for Christmas, he said. She was hospitalised after a gunman shot four times through the club's doors as the two siblings, their brother and another barman ran inside for cover, closing the doors behind them.
Their brother is the club's president, Michel, who organised the staff party. It ended up with Antoine Farrugia witnessing his sister falling to the ground and finding her blood on his hands.
"Had those doors not been closed, the consequences would have been tragic," Mr Farrugia said.
He believes that neither would he have been alive today had two policemen not literally hung onto the shotgun, deviating the barrel away from the window pane that the gunman smashed to fire into the club.
Carmel Saliba, 30, from Kirkop, was arraigned yesterday and charged with the attempted murder of 20 people.
"I would have been dead! There were loads of people in there, including about three children," Mr Farrugia said. "Had it not been for the police, there would have been deaths."
Mr Farrugia said the two policemen tried to stop the man from attacking the club after he alighted from a pick-up. At first they did not manage, he said.
Standing not more than a foot away from the door, the gunman shot four times, he said.
His brother was hit in the back by 25 pellets. His sister, also a committee member, was hit in the head but she is conscious and recovering well. His partner, barman John Leonard, was hit in the neck and hand, Mr Farrugia explained.
"We were the last four in - I was followed by Michel, Sylvana and John and that is why I was not hurt.
"We were outside talking to the two policemen, whom we had called on site, when the pick-up sped up to the club. We yelled: 'Close the doors!' We never imagined he would be armed...
"I only slept one hour after that, and it was only when I woke up that what happened really hit me. It was like something out of a movie. Even the police claim they have not seen anything like it!"
Nationalist MPs of the fifth district, Franco Debono and Ninu Zammit, were among the first on the scene of the crime on Saturday night. Dr Debono, a lawyer, appeared in court for the victims.
Both Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat also visited the scene.
Mr Farrugia said Dr Muscat had twice visited the club, "which is open to everyone". In fact, a picture of the Opposition Leader with committee secretary Paul Spiteri hangs on the wall above one of the Prime Minister, he said, stressing the "friendship" between the two party clubs, located opposite each other in Mqabba.
"Only last Wednesday, we had drinks for the Labour Party club committee and we also had another farewell party for its barman, who had served for several years," Mr Farrugia said.
The PN condemned the shooting, which it described as "a personal action", expressing solidarity with the injured and thanking the police, who prevented more serious consequences. It thanked Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat for their solidarity at the scene of the crime.
The Labour Party too condemned the shooting.
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F Spiteri
Dec 24th 2008, 13:15
Bertie O'Cassey,
If you feel like thanking me, you are more than welcome!!!!!
By not later than 10th July 2013 you will have Dr Muscat as a gread leader leading a great party and our blessed country as well.
That would be the day which brings "a smile to one and all and a warm feeling".
E.Vella
Dec 24th 2008, 12:47
There are values which are higher than politics. Even the most sensless person would had hold his arm infront of a woman and children...cowards remain cowards always...shame on him
Bertie O'Cassey
Dec 24th 2008, 11:48
Thanks Mr.Spiteri, this is what we need christmas cheer, jokes such as "Dr Muscat as he is a great leader leading a great party!" bring a smile to one and all and a warm feeling.
F Spiteri
Dec 24th 2008, 10:41
Giov DeMartino,
Wipe away your tears filled with sorrow ... and take a break!!!!!!!!!!
I guess it is about time that violence stop being tolerated ... whatever form it takes!
You can stop feeling sorry for Dr Muscat as he is a great leader leading a great party! Merry Christmas!
George Douglas
Dec 24th 2008, 09:49
@giov demartino such comments are incomprehensible. This article shows progress made by the two parties when coming to deal with hot issues. Plus this accident was a personal fight between two people which happened in a PN club. Don't try to allude that something that happened in the past is still present.
Giov DeMartino
Dec 24th 2008, 06:38
I really feel sorry for Dr. Joseph Muscat who has to lead such a political party.
victor vella
Dec 23rd 2008, 09:29
@Tony Bonello, I agree with you that the officers should be well compensated and upgraded in thier rank, this would suit them much more then a medal ,I do not agree with R Grima, in UK they used to put forward that argument and the force resisited the call for police to be armed, in fact only a special section of the force is armed, but the results still show that criminals are still arming themselves and gun a/knife crime keeps rising, so I say arm the police, give them 2 way radios and a good back up.Merry Christmas to you all
Tony Bonello
Dec 23rd 2008, 09:21
@ R.Grima I honestly disagree with you, I even believe in arming our security guards and more and more Police officers, we are the only country in the world where we have unarmed Police and Security Officers. With my Diploma I have right to carry a fire arm whilest on duty with VIP. The only country I can't carry it is here in Malta, apart all also the Police force I believe need to carry out a extreme t raining program on weapons and usage of them.
R Muscat
Dec 23rd 2008, 08:34
Rather than the police being armed it would be best if there were no fire arms at all, taking into consideration the number of gun related crimes. The authorities should consider a total ban on fire arms and their destruction. We do not have the right to bear arms in our constitution and this is not the Wild West. If they do not like it, the cowboys can emigrate there.
r.grima
Dec 22nd 2008, 18:21
Although the first thought that comes to mind is that the police should be armed one must keep his head and think of the implications. We are all saying that Malta is reverting to the wild west and arming the police will speed us on our way. The solution should be sought elsewhere.
Tony Bonello
Dec 22nd 2008, 12:29
I honestly think police in stations and on the beat need to be armed as mobile squad members do. I also insist that these 2 brave police officers will have a medal for bravery and be ranked up to Sargent. Well done guys show what the police force have. Keep on with the good work. Tony Bonello IBA (International Bodyguard Association) security officer.