Update 3 | Marsa murder victim was found by relatives

The lifeless body of Guzi Galea, known to his friends as 'Il-Gilda', was found on the seat of his Kia Sorento outside his residence in Triq ix-Xemxija, Marsa by his own relatives, Superintendent Silvio Valletta said.

Galea was found dead in the driver's seat of his Kia Sorento. It is believed he was shot through the vehicle's windows, although the car was covered with bullet holes. Forensic experts believe some 11 shots were fired.

Addressing a crime conference at the police headquarters, Valletta explained the police were informed that shots were heard at around 5:10am in Marsa.

When the police arrived on site, Galea's body was found slumped on the seat of his vehicles with at least five gunshot wounds in his body.

A number of shots were fired at the victim's vehicle, hitting the luggage booth and smashing the windows on the vehicle's right-hand side. Investigators believe the assailant made use of a .7.62 calibre
assault rifle and shot the victim in a drive-by shooting. Sources claimed the number of shots could total 17.

Duty Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona held an on-site an inquiry, and the autopsy report confirmed Galea had died from gunshots.

Following the day's intense investigations, the police are on the lookout for a silver Toyota Rav4, the vehicle believed to have been used by the killers. Investigators believe there were at least two people in the car.

Questioned about Galea's connections with the criminal world, Deputy Commissioner Pierre Calleja said the victim had been convicted over complicity in theft. However, he said that such crime, particularly
those related to usury and illegal money-lending, was very shady and the police couldn't confirm any allegation in this regard.

However, MaltaToday is in a position to confirm that Galea was known to the police in connection with illegal gambling and usury.

Sources close to the police said that while Galea was never arraigned, he was on various occasions investigated and questioned after allegedly lodging false reports with police. The reports would be filed after the borrowers would fail to settle their debts with him. Reportedly, he also used to file reports against other individuals in usury circles.

The sources also claimed that in his younger days, Galea was considered as the "ringleader" in the gambling machine industry. At the time, Galea was considered by the police "as the man who called the shots about who was allowed to deal in gambling machines and who would have to shut down".

Separate sources revealed that Galea is related to George Galea, involved in the murder of Mario Camilleri l-Imniehru and his son Mario Camilleri Jnr.

Coincidentally, the compilation of evidences in Zahra's murder continued a few hours later. Based on evidence heard in previous sittings, investigators believe that the Camilleris and Zahra were shot dead over the extortionate sums of money they demanded from Jason Galea.

This evening, the police urge anyone having information related to the case to call investigators on 119 even anonymously.

Deputy Commissioner Pierre Calleja, Assistant Commissioners Raymond Zammit and Neville Aquilina, Superintendents Silvio Valletta and Carmelo Magri and Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Robert Vella, were
present for the crime conference.