Bidnija murder: Man to be charged with killing neighbour, search for weapon on

Police are still searching for the weapon allegedly used in Sunday's fatal shooting in Bidnija, while the suspect is expected to be charged with killing his neighbour later on Monday.

Jean Paul Busuttil, a 53-year-old businessman, was killed in what the police said had stemmed from a road rage incident.

The suspect is a 46-year-old man of Syrian origin who moved to Malta in 1994 at the age of 15. He is married to a Maltese national, sources told Times of Malta.

Sources outlined the sequence of events which led to the killing. 

Busuttil was driving through Triq il-Konkos around 8am when he was involved in a minor collision with a motorcycle driven by the suspect. Both vehicles sustained light damage, but tempers flared. 

The victim Jean Paul Busuttil.

A traffic warden arrived on the scene shortly after to assess the incident. Moments later, the suspect's son also arrived at the scene, apparently to assist his father. 

As tensions escalated between Busuttil and the suspect, the latter took his son's motorbike and left. He returned shortly afterwards, allegedly armed, and pointed the weapon at Busuttil, sources told Times of Malta. 

In fear, the unarmed traffic warden fled to the top of the road and called police for urgent backup.

Despite his injuries, Busuttil attempted to drive himself to hospital but collapsed in Burmarrad. He was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. Medical sources later said he might have survived if he had waited for an ambulance.

The alleged assailant remained at the scene and did not resist arrest. The warden was treated for shock. 

Although the two men live near each other, the personal connection between them remains unclear.

By Monday morning, police had still not located the weapon, despite extensive searches in nearby fields.

The suspect is expected to be formally charged in court later today.