A man from Ghaxaq accused of shooting and killing his own son on Friday has pleaded not guilty to the charges

Salvu Dalli, 68, was charged with killing his son Antoine - aged 37, in the father's residence in Ghaxaq. He also faced charges related to the weapon and recidivism. 

Dalli was killed with a shotgun shot to his stomach, which proved fatal.

In a press briefing prior to the arraignment, the police said that an autopsy was held on Saturday morning, confirming the cause of death.

Police communications officer Brandon Pisani said that both the alleged perpetrator and the victim were known to the police.

The motive behind the crime is a domestic issue, the police had said. The police were informed of the incident at around 11.15am on Friday. When officers turned up, the door was opened by the man who stands accused of the crime. They found the victim in a pool of blood and he was certified dead on site.

During the court sitting, no bail request was made, and the man was remanded in custody. Magistrate Astrid May Grima presided.

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Earlier

A man today will be accused on court of killing his son in Ghaxaq on Friday, the police said today.

Addressing the media, police communications officer Brandon Pisani said that Salvu Dalli, 68, will be charged with killing his son Antoine, aged 37, in the father's residence in Ghaxaq.

Dalli was killed with a single shot to his stomach, which proved fatal, Pisani said.

An autopsy was held on Saturday morning, confirming the cause of death.

Pisani said that both the alleged perpetrator and the victim were known to the police.

The motive behind the crime is a domestic issue, the police said.

The police were informed of the incident at around 11.15am on Friday. When officers turned up, the door was opened by the man who will now be accused of the crime.

They found the victim in a pool of blood and he was certified dead on site.