A judge in Albania has been shot dead after a man opened fire during a trial at the Court of Appeal in the capital Tirana. Judge Astrit Kalaja died en route to hospital, officials said, while two others involved in the hearing over a property dispute - a father and son - were shot but sustained injuries that were not life-threatening. Police said they had arrested a 30-year-old male suspect identified by the initials 'E Sh', named in local media as Elvis Shkëmbi. Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama offered his condolences to Judge Kalaja's family, stating that this act of aggression necessitates the most severe legal consequences. He also called for improved security in courts and tougher penalties for illegal firearms. Opposition leader Sali Berisha noted that it marked the first murder of a judge in Albania in 35 years while fulfilling official duties, urging society to reflect deeply on this violence. The suspect was reported to have shot the judge because he anticipated losing the case. In addition to the suspect, the court's security guard and the uncle have been arrested concerning this incident. Albania's general prosecutor, Olsian Çela, emphasized the need for enhanced security for judges, labeling this as an attack on the justice system itself. The shooting, while relatively rare, is reminiscent of another tragic incident a decade ago in Milan, highlighting a concerning pattern of violence directed at judicial officials. Judge Kalaja served as a lawyer for over 30 years before his appointment to the Court of Appeal in 2019. According to reports, Albania led the region in firearm-related public dispute incidents in early 2023, with significant occurrences of violence linked to dispute resolution.