The usually solemn halls of the Court of Appeal in Tirana, Albania, were shattered on October 6, 2025, by an act of violence that has sent shockwaves through the country’s judicial system and beyond. Judge Astrit Kalaja, a veteran of more than three decades in law, was shot dead in his courtroom by a defendant standing trial over a property dispute—a crime that many in Albania are calling unprecedented in recent memory.
According to police and multiple news outlets, the incident unfolded in the early afternoon during a hearing at the Court of Appeal. The defendant, identified as 30-year-old Elvis Shkëmbi, reportedly drew a pistol and opened fire, fatally wounding Judge Kalaja. Two other individuals—a father and son who were parties to the dispute—were also shot, but their injuries were not life-threatening. Authorities confirmed that Judge Kalaja succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.
Elvis Shkëmbi was immediately apprehended at the scene, but the investigation quickly widened. Police also arrested Shkëmbi’s uncle, Gjon Shkëmbi, and a court security guard, Banush Koxhaj. According to reports from Euronews Albania and other sources, the security guard had failed to physically search the defendant and his uncle, even though they had triggered the court’s metal detector upon entry. This lapse in security is now at the center of growing scrutiny and calls for reform.
Local media and police sources suggest that the motive for the shooting was the defendant’s expectation that he would lose the case. As reported by BBC and Euronews Albania, Shkëmbi is said to have opened fire out of desperation, a tragic escalation of a legal dispute that could have—should have—been resolved peacefully.
Judge Kalaja’s murder marks a grim milestone for Albania. Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, stated that it was “the first time in 35 years a sitting judge had been killed while doing his duty.” Berisha added, “Today is the day for a deep reflection by all Albanian society.” The shock of the event was echoed by many legal professionals and public figures. Brunilda Lika, a lawyer present in the courthouse during the shooting, described the chaos and fear that erupted: “For a judge to lose his life while giving a decision for the Republic of Albania is an unprecedented act. I saw the panic that occurred in the courtroom.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded forcefully, calling the shooting a “tragic event” and demanding stricter sentencing for gun-related crimes. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rama wrote, “The criminal aggression against the judge undoubtedly demands the most extreme legal response against the aggressor.” He also called for enhanced security measures in Albania’s courts, emphasizing the need for harsher punishments for illegal possession of weapons. Under Albanian law, such offenses currently carry a three-year prison sentence.
President Bajram Begaj echoed the prime minister’s sentiments, describing the attack as a “terrible attack against the entire justice system.” The British embassy in Tirana also issued a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Judge Astrit Kalaja. Our condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues. We strongly condemn the violence and call for urgent measures to ensure the safety and security of judicial officers and the integrity of courts.”
Olsian Çela, Albania’s general prosecutor, underscored the broader implications for the rule of law, stating, “Beyond the heartbreaking loss of one life and the injury of two others, this event strikes at the very foundation of justice and the functioning of the legal system.”
Judge Kalaja’s career spanned more than thirty years, during which he served first in district courts before being appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2019. His colleagues and members of the legal community paid tribute to his memory, placing flowers at the scene of the crime the day after the shooting, as reported by Euronews Albania.
The attack has reignited debate over security and gun violence in Albania. According to data from the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC), Albania recorded 213 firearm incidents in the first six months of 2025, with 43 of those involving public disputes. While this represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year, the numbers remain high compared to neighboring Balkan countries. Albania’s rate of firearm incidents linked to public disputes is the highest in the region for that period, according to a UN-backed monitor.
Firearm attacks inside courtrooms are rare, but not unheard of. The BBC and other outlets drew comparisons to a 2015 incident in Milan, Italy, where a man on trial for bankruptcy shot and killed a judge, a lawyer, and his co-defendant inside the Palace of Justice. That attack, like the one in Tirana, was a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in even the most secure legal institutions.
The aftermath of the shooting has left Albania’s justice system grappling with questions of security, accountability, and the broader implications for public trust. The arrest of the court security guard and the defendant’s uncle has prompted investigations into possible negligence or complicity, with authorities examining how a firearm was brought into the courtroom despite security protocols.
For many in Albania, the incident is a wake-up call. Calls for reform have grown louder—not only for stricter punishments for gun crimes but also for a comprehensive review of court security procedures. As Prime Minister Rama and President Begaj have made clear, the integrity of the justice system depends on the safety of those who serve within it.
As the country mourns the loss of Judge Kalaja, there is a collective sense that something fundamental has been shaken. The attack has not only claimed a respected jurist’s life but has also forced Albania to confront the need for deeper changes in its approach to security and the administration of justice. The coming weeks and months will likely see increased debate and, perhaps, legislative action aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future. For now, the memory of Judge Kalaja—and the urgent questions his death has raised—linger over Albania’s courts and its society at large.
