Carl Caruana Begins Prison Sentence for Marsascala Shooting

In the quiet, coastal town of Marsascala, a shooting incident last year through the community. Today, justice has been served as Carl Caruana began his prison sentence for his role in the event that left a man injured.

Recapping the Marsascala Shooting

On a balmy evening in August 2021, Marsascala’s usually tranquil atmosphere was shattered when a man was shot in the stomach outside a popular local bar, ‘Il-Bajja’. The victim, a 32-year-old Maltese man, was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Thankfully, he survived the ordeal.

The shooting was allegedly the result of a long-standing feud between two local families. Caruana, now 35, was identified as the triggerman and was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Justice Served: The Court’s Verdict

In a packed courtroom at the Criminal Court in Valletta, Judge Antonio Mizzi delivered the verdict this week. Caruana was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The judge also ordered Caruana to pay a €10,000 fine and €15,000 in damages to the victim.

Caruana, who had been out on bail since the incident, was remanded in custody pending his appeal. His lawyer, Joseph Giglio, has already announced plans to appeal the sentence, arguing that the court had not considered his client’s clean criminal record and his cooperation with the police during the investigation.

Community Reaction and Moving Forward

News of Caruana’s sentence has been met with a mix of relief and sadness in Marsascala. While many residents are relieved that justice has been served, others are saddened by the turn of events, knowing that a life has been ruined and a family torn apart.

For the victim, the road to recovery has been long and challenging. He has since returned to work and is slowly rebuilding his life. He told Hot Malta, “I just want to put this behind me and move on. I hope that this sentence brings some closure and serves as a deterrent to others.”

Marsascala’s mayor, Graham Vassallo, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Today, we can breathe a sigh of relief. But we must also remember that violence has no place in our community. We must work together to ensure that Marsascala remains a safe and peaceful place to live and visit.”

As Caruana begins his prison sentence, the Marsascala community looks ahead, determined to heal and move forward. The shooting incident served as a stark reminder of the destructive power of violence and the importance of peace and understanding in our communities.