Drive-by shooting: Police have spoken to injured victims, collected CCTV footage

Police are investigating a drive-by shooting in a country lane in the outskirts of Birżebbuġa that left one man dead and two injured

The shooting happened in a country lane that is very often used by migrants at the Hal Far open centre to reach the centre of Birżebbuġa
The shooting happened in a country lane that is very often used by migrants at the Hal Far open centre to reach the centre of Birżebbuġa

A man killed in a drive-by shooting in Birżebbuġa and two others who were injured in the same incident may have been walking up the road together, police believe as investigations into the mysterious incident continue.

Police sources said the 42-year-old man from Ivory Coast who was killed on the spot, died after being shot in the head. The two injured men, both from Ghana, were found a short distance away from the victim. But police believe they may have been with the Ivorian and were escaping the gunfire that came from the passenger side of a white Toyota Starlett.

The incident happened in Triq il-Ġebel, a country lane, that connects Hal Far road with the centre of Birżebbuġa. It is commonly used by residents at the Hal Far open centre to reach Birżebbuġa.

Sources said the men were walking towards Hal Far and the car approached from the front. All three were immigrants residing at the open centre.

The incident took place at around 11pm on Saturday.

The perpetrators are still on the run but the police have talked to the injured victims in hospital and are examining CCTV footage from the area.

The Ghanians sustained gunshot injuries but their condition was not serious. The police said this morning their medical condition had not changed.

The murder investigation is being led by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Farrugia and CID Inspector Keith Arnaud. They are being assisted by Assistant Commissioner Sandro Gatt, and district police inspectors Josric Mifsud and Melvyn Camilleri.

Magistrate Rachel Montebello is conducting an inquiry.