Charged with Zurrieq shooting

A 42-year-old man was yesterday charged with trying to kill a teenager and his father when he allegedly lost his temper and shot them following an argument over a wall.

Mariano Grixti, of Zurrieq, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Joseph Mifsud and his son Redeemer and seriously injuring them in Zurrieq on Wednesday at about 4.30 p.m.

He is also pleading not guilty to the illegal possession of a firearm at the time of the crime and of relapsing.

Defence counsel Mark Busuttil asked Magistrate Anthony Vella to grant bail to his client but Police Inspectors Chris Pullicino and Walter Spiteri, prosecuting, objected saying investigations were still going on and the police had not yet had the opportunity to speak to the two victims who were in hospital.

Inspector Pullicino told the magistrate the argument between Mr Grixti and the Mifsuds started over a wall and later escalated into a fight.

Mr Grixti had told the police he lost his temper and fired four or five shots injuring the Mifsuds.

The magistrate turned down the request for bail at this stage.