At least nine shots were fired by two types of firearms last night when a man was murdered in Marsascala and another two were injured. Both firearms were semi-automatic, the police said.

Although investigations are underway and the third person involved in the shooting has been arrested, it is still too early to arraign anyone, assistant police commissioner Pierre Calleja said this afternoon.

Addressing a news conference on the incident, he said the police received a call informing them about a shooting incident at 7 p.m.

They went on site where they found a dead man, Kevin Gatt, 32, of Ghaxaq, and a man suffering from grievous firearm injuries, Stephen Zammit (according to sources) a 32-year-old man from Fgura, in a Hyundai.

AC Calleja said Mr Gatt was known to the police for criminal offences including theft, drugs and the attempted murder of a constable.

The man who was with him in the car is still in a critical condition.

The third man, a 45-year-old from Marsascala, was slightly injured.

AC Calleja said that the Hyundai had been stolen from Zebbug on the night between Wednesday and Thursday. It had fake number plates, one set stolen on the night between Sunday and Monday and the other set stolen on Tuesday.

The Hyundai was one of three cars involved, the other two are linked to the man helping the police.

AC Calleja said that no money or illegal substances were found on site and it was too early to conclude that the incident was linked to usury.

Asked if the place had been under police surveillance, AC Calleja said it was definitely not under CID surveillance, asked whether other police departments had been watching it, he insisted the CID were not.

Mr Calleja said it was still too early to know the motive, pointing out that the police had only spoken to the third person involved, who was still arrested. They were hoping to be able to speak to the other person who was injured, and who was still in Intensive Care, soon.

According to the man under arrest, the three men did not know each other.

The AC confirmed that the shooting incident took place in the car. Tyre marks and spent cartridges were found in the basement, where the car was parked.

Ballistic examinations on the weapons are underway.

Mr Calleja said that the men were not hooded but their hands were covered.