Local official in Albania's north shot and wounded

Albanian police say a local official is in critical condition after he was shot outside his municipal office in northern Albania.

Police say Jak Zhupa, 46, district mayor in the town of Lezhe, was attacked Wednesday after a heated argument with the assailant, who fled the scene.

Police say they are searching for the 22-year-old fugitive, whose identity has not been made public. No motive has been given for the attack.

Attacks on officials are frequent in Albania. The run-up to last month's local poll was marred by several incidents, including the shooting of a man over a campaign poster and the killing of a regional party leader and an opposition lawmaker.