Fresh evidence from Sunday's murder in Marsaxlokk indicates that the victim, Anthony Borg, may have been the one brandishing a gun and not his alleged killer.

Mr Borg, known as Il-Bona, of Luqa died from stabbing and did not have any bullet wounds as was initially believed, police sources said yesterday.

Gunshots were fired during the incident but, according to witnesses, the man suspected of the murder turned up outside the PN club, where the victim was having a drink, with a knife in his hand and not a gun.

"It does not look like the pistol was in the aggressor's hand," police sources told The Times, pointing out that he did not enter the club.

By yesterday the police had not yet found the gun, although they picked up a knife from the crime scene.

The police have arrested a man from Luqa on suspicion of murder. He lives at his girlfriend's place in Marsaxlokk not far away the Nationalist Party club.

He was apprehended by the mobile squad only metres away from the crime scene and is expected to be arraigned today.

It also emerged yesterday that on Sunday the victim was having a drink with his brother and girlfriend inside the PN club in Marsaxlokk's main square, where the Bona clan are known to gather at the weekends.

Sources said Mr Borg went out to confront the suspect, who fled when he saw the gun. A chase ensued up the hill near the church and a number of shots were fired. People who were at Mass at the time said they heard at least two gun shots.

The circumstances surrounding the stabbing are unclear. It took place a few metres away from the club at the crossroads just up from the church.

Mr Borg's relatives were heard screaming for an ambulance and a few minutes later more relatives descended on the crime scene.

The PN club's shutters were closed after the incident took place.

The fight happened just after 6 p.m. while Mass was being celebrated in the parish church. The Marsaxlokk parish priest, who was preparing to give Holy Communion, was called out and gave last rites to the victim, who died on the spot.

Witnesses have told the police that the argument between the two men had started at about noon and they had a heated telephone conversation before the incident. Their feud had been going on for a couple of weeks and is believed to have been about money.

Investigators have confiscated the victim's Isuzu pick-up, which was parked haphazardly in front of the PN club, as well as other cars from the area.