One man was killed and another two were wounded late on Saturday evening in a shooting that took place on the outskirts of Birzebbuga.
The shooting took place at around 11pm on Saturday, in Triq tal-Gebel, which leads from Birzebbuga to Hal Far.
A 42-year-old man from the Ivory Coast was killed with a shot to the head, while two other men, a Guinean national and another who is believed to be from Gambia, were also hit by gunfire. One of them is in critical condition and was yesterday operated on the lower part of his body. The men were hit by one bullet each, TVM reported.
The police have launched a manhunt and are on the lookout for a white Toyota Starlet that is believed to have been used in what is being described as a drive-by shooting. It is believed that the shots were fired from the passenger side.
Sources familiar with the area said the road is dark and deserted and is often used by migrants going to and from the open centre in Hal Far.
In a statement, the police said officers went on site after they were notified that shots had been fired in the area. It is believed that one of the injured persons contacted the police about the incident.
On their arrival, the officers noted a man lying on the ground with injuries. An ambulance was called to take him to hospital.
On further investigation, the officers found another man who was injured, and another ambulance was called.
One of the men is a 22-year-old whose nationality has not yet been confirmed and the other is a Gambian national. His identity has not yet been confirmed.
As the officers were talking to individuals to find out what happened, a third man was noticed lying on the ground in a pool of blood. He was certified dead on site.
Magistrate Rachel Montebello is leading an inquiry. She appointed several court experts to assist her.
This was the second homicide of the year, following last week’s double-murder in Ghaxaq. A man has been charged with the murder of his mother and sister, who were found dead and partially buried in a field after they had been reported missing.