A man who was slightly injured in a shootout on Thursday in Marsascala was yesterday charged with killing a man and the attempted murder of a second man who is fighting for his life.

Giuseppe Cutajar, 45, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 32-year-old Kevin Gatt, of Għaxaq, and the attempted murder of 32-year-old Stephen Zammit, of Fgura in Marsascala at 7 p.m.

Known as Il-Lion, Mr Cutajar had indicated to the police, who arrived on the scene following an anonymous tip-off, that the shoot-out had taken place in the underground car park of an apartment block in Ġużeppi Lanzon Street. He said he had been shot by two men in a car.

Mr Cutajar was injured after at least nine shots were fired from two semi-automatic weapons in a shoot-out that left Mr Gatt dead in a stolen Hyundai and Mr Zammit sitting in the passenger seat. Mr Zammit’s condition is still critical.

The men were not hooded but were wearing gloves.

Mr Cutajar was also charged with stealing a weapon and ammunition from a residence in Żejtun two years ago.

The man, who is unemployed, stood quietly in the dock and only spoke to give his details to the court.

The 45-year-old was remanded in custody. No request for bail was made by defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi.

Apart from the Hyundai, police are examining two vehicles – including a red Pajero belonging to Mr Cutajar – that were seized on the night of the shootout. On Friday night, police returned to the crime scene and seized another two vehicles,. including a silver Pajero.

The Hyundai had been stolen from Żebbuġ on Wednesday night and was found with two sets of registration plates, which had been stolen from cars in Msida and Birkirkara last week.

During a news conference on Friday, the police could not confirm whether investigators were looking into usury as a possible motive but said no cash or illegal substances were found on-site.