A man allegedly involved in a botched bank heist four years ago is fighting for his life after he was shot twice in the head late on Tuesday.

Vince Muscat, il-Kuħħu, 52, was hit three times – the third in the hand – while seated in his car, parked outside his house in Bordin Street, Pietá, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

He had just parked there, sources close to investigators said.

Though badly injured, Mr Muscat drove to the Msida police station, barely a five-minute drive, the sources added. He walked into the police station, bleeding and calling for help. Police officers administered first aid until an ambulance arrived.

Mr Muscat was rushed to hospital and operated upon and his condition was still critical yesterday.

Although he sustained three bullet wounds, investigators believe that more shots had in fact been fired at Mr Muscat, using a small calibre weapon.

One neighbour said he heard a loud noise late at night but all he saw when he looked outside was a car.

Others said they did not hear anything.

Criminals got away after police shoot-out

Mr Muscat was arraigned in 2010, together with Darren Debono, in connection with the botched heist on the HSBC headquarters in Qormi.

He was also charged with the attempted murder of two police officers, holding another three constables against their will, trying to rob the bank and stealing a Glock pistol.

The heist took place at about 7.30pm on June 30 as three men wearing wigs and fake moustaches entered the HSBC building, possibly using electronic codes known only to employees.

They assaulted a member of the police special assignments group, since disbanded and replaced by the rapid intervention unit, removed his pistol and tied him to two bank employees in the control room.

The police were soon on the scene after receiving a tip-off. On their arrival, a vehicle parked in front of the bank sped off with the police giving chase.

Meanwhile, someone inside the bank called for help and the police returned.

As the intruders tried to leave, a shoot-out ensued but the criminals managed to get away in a second car during the commotion.

Mr Muscat’s attempted murder bears a resemblance to the murder of Joseph Galea, il-Ġilda, who was gunned down at about 5am while seated in his car parked in front of his Marsa apartment at 5am on February 4. Mr Galea was about to drive off when his car was sprayed with bullets.

A week later, Peter Cassar, known as Pietru l-Ħaqqu, was shot twice, in the neck and chest, in his garage in Żejtun just after 2pm.

Following both shootings, the police said they were investigating a possible link between a series of murders over a span of two years and were trying to establish whether there was a connection between them.

Apart from Mr Cassar and Mr Galea, Paul Degabriele, is-Suldat, Joseph Cutajar, il-Lion, and Josef Grech, il-Yo-Yo had also been shot dead.