A man on trial in Tirana, Albania, shoots and kills Judge Astrit Kalaja during a property dispute hearing, injuring two others.
Tragedy struck a courtroom in Tirana, Albania, on Monday when a man on trial opened fire during proceedings, killing a judge and wounding two others.
According to police reports, the gunman, who was facing trial over a property dispute, fatally shot Appeals Court Judge Astrit Kalaja while he was presiding over the case. Authorities confirmed that the assailant was immediately subdued and arrested by security operatives at the scene.
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“The judge was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries on the way,” the Albanian police said in an official statement.
Two other victims, identified as a father and son who were involved in the trial, were also shot and transported to the hospital. Medical sources report that both are in stable condition.
Local media suggest that the shooter may have acted out of rage, believing that the court’s decision would not be in his favor regarding the property dispute. The shocking incident has sparked outrage across Albania, raising concerns about courtroom security and judicial safety in the country.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the shooting to determine how the defendant managed to bring a firearm into the courtroom.