![Police fired around 50 shots when Aidan Bartolo drove at them](https://maltadaily.mt/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bulletwebsite.jpg)
After police officers two weeks ago engaged in Aidan Bartolo’s arrest in Mizieb, they revealed in court that they fired around 50 gunshots at the fugitive’s tyres between them.
Bartolo was being investigated on suspicion of drug trafficking and was stopped by six officers when he was in his car in Mellieha. Instead of following orders, the 24-year-old allegedly drove towards the police officers.
One of the officers stated that he fired around 17 shots, with another revealing he fired 13 shots. The other officers were in doubt as to the number of shots fired, but calculations brought the number up to 50 in total.
Bartolo himself was hit in the leg by a shot and is being charged with the attempted murder of the officers. Defence counsel asked whether it had been necessary to fire so many shots.
The accused is also insisting he simply wanted to escape but did not want to hurt the officers. The officers form part of the Special Intervention Unit, saying that their faces were covered but they had the word ‘police’ on their chest.
Police added they were not aware of his intentions, with Bartolo hitting two cars and a van. Bartolo was released on bail at the last sitting against a €5,000 deposit and a €40,000 personal guarantee.
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Photo Source: TVM, Malta Police Force