The man arrested following Friday morning’s shooting of two police officers has been identified locally as John Agius, a pensioner in his 70s.

Known to neighbours as “Johnny tal-għalqa” (“Johnny of the field”), Agius is being questioned in connection with the shooting of police officers Johann Vella and Omar Sharif, as well as an earlier arson incident.

He was arrested after a major armed police operation in Triq Joseph Carbone, Ta’ Ġiorni, which followed the shooting.

The incident left two officers injured, with one reported to have suffered serious gunshot wounds.

Investigations into both the shooting and the earlier incident remain ongoing.