The 74-year-old man accused of shooting two police officers in Ta’ Giorni told investigators that years of development around his home left him frustrated, isolated and locked in ongoing disputes with developers.John Agius’ version of events emerged in court today during the compilation of evidence linked to the 24th July shooting that left two Special Intervention Unit officers injured as reported by Times of Malta.Agius, who is pleading not guilty to two counts of attempted murder, said the area surrounding his home had changed dramatically over the years, with open fields gradually replaced by construction projects.According to his police statement, he had been involved in multiple disputes and court cases related to nearby developments and had recently clashed with the owner of an adjacent property over access rights.On the day of the shooting, Agius said he noticed workers plastering a party wall from a crane above his property despite previously refusing them permission to enter.“They ignored me,” he told investigators.He said he then gathered rubbish beneath the workers and repeatedly warned he would set it on fire if they continued.Agius eventually ignited the pile using petrol that had been brought to him by his brother.He later told police that at one point he decided that “today someone will get hurt”.Agius admitted that he fired in the direction of police officers after they arrived on site.He told investigators he warned officers not to enter his property, saying:“Don’t come in, because I will defend myself.”The accused said he believed police were there to protect the contractor rather than him and claimed previous experiences with law enforcement had left him distrustful of officers.He acknowledged firing a first shot as a warning and later admitted firing a second shot, while also confirming that he knew the people entering his property were police officers.Despite this, he insisted he was acting in self-defence.The court also heard harrowing testimony about the injuries suffered by Constable Johann Vella.Inspector Christian Xuereb described arriving at the scene and seeing Vella collapse after being struck in the face and neck.According to Xuereb, the officer appeared to be “crying blood”, particularly from his right eye, while struggling to breathe as colleagues dragged him to safety.Emergency consultant Chris Giordemaina told the court that Vella arrived at Mater Dei Hospital with life-threatening injuries.Doctors found multiple wounds to his face and neck, damage to a major artery, two collapsed lungs and severe internal injuries.One pellet stopped dangerously close to a major artery carrying blood from the heart.“Had he been hit there, he would have died on the spot,” Giordemaina told the court.Vella was discharged from hospital earlier this week.The second injured officer, Constable Omar Sharif, suffered less serious injuries, including wounds to his neck, arm and leg.At the end of today’s sitting, the magistrate ruled that enough evidence exists for proceedings against Agius to continue.The case is set to continue on 23rd September.•