Man critical after being shot twice

A man from Birzebbuga was shot twice at close range at his hometown early yesterday morning, the police said.

The shooting followed an argument with another man over property.

Informed sources said the police are holding a 55-year-old man, who is also from Birzebbuga, for questioning over the case.

He had admitted the shooting and is expected to be charged with attempted murder today.

The man who was shot at is Alfred Schembri, 43. He is in a critical condition.

The sources said the two men were second cousins. They had broken off contact about four years ago following an argument over who of them had killed a turtle dove while they were hunting.

A while later the suspect had pointed a shotgun in Schembri`s face and they had not talked since, the sources said.

Schembri, who is married and the father of four children, was going hunting in a Hyundai Pony car at about 5.45 a.m. when a man, who was on foot, fired in his direction.

Police sources said Schembri was hit in his chest and throat.

The shooting occurred as Schembri left St Joseph Street and drove into narrow Brolli Street on the outskirts of Birzebbuga.

After the shooting, Schembri drove his car to his home in Triq il-Kus but lost consciousness as he arrived. He was taken to hospital by ambulance.

His alleged attacker gave himself up to the police soon after the shooting, the police said.

Police sources said the man had admitted to the shooting and later also released a statement before the inquiring magistrate.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi held an inquiry and appointed a team of experts to draw up reports on the incident.

Criminal Investigations Department Inspector Silvio Valletta is investigating the incident with the Birzebbuga district police.