San Blas murder | Caruana wounded in the face, chest, hands and feet

Police are investigating the possibility that a weapon recovered this afternoon from a burnt out car in Rabat was the weapon used in the murder of Raymond Caruana late last night.

Addressing a crime conference this evening, Assistant Commissioner Silvio Valletta said that the vehicle, an Opel Corsa, had been burnt in a field in the tal-Virtu area of Rabat. The vehicle had been reported stolen from the Pieta area in September last year.

Caruana had been hit by at least five bullets, suffering wounds in the face, chest, hands and feet. The autopsy is expected to be concluded on Monday. Valletta explained that the victim was leaving the farmhouse, where he had been in the company of an unidentified female, had reversed out of his drive way “on his way home.” As his car turned to face the road, the shots were fired. Caruana’s body was found behind the car.

An assault rifle is thought to have been used in this killing and forensic experts are currently examining the possibility that the weapon may have been used in other, similar, murders last year.

No arrests have been made, said Valletta, adding that investigations are in a very preliminary stage with less than 24 hours having elapsed since the deed.

Police have collected recordings from every CCTV camera in the area and are examining footage. He believed that the perpetrator knew the area well but could not comment further, repeating that investigations are at a very early stage.

Valletta said that the victim was well known to police. Asked whether any connection with his criminal past had been made, the Assistant Commissioner emphasised that "all aspect of the victim’s life will be examined in detail, from the beginning. No stone will be left unturned."