Peter Cassar died of two shots, one to neck and one to chest

67-year-old Peter Cassar known as il-Haqqa died from two shots, one to his neck and the other to his chest. At least three shots were fired from a .9mm calibre pistol.

Head of CID and assistant commissioner Silvio Valletta said investigations were still ongoing, but it is believed Cassar was in his garage when he was shot.

He then walked out and sat on the doorstep of an opposite residence, where he died. 

"We received a call from one of the neighbours reporting that a man was lying dead in Triq Santa Marija. Shots were also heard," Valletta said.

Although investigations are still at their preliminary stages, the scene of crime shows Cassar was shot in his garage, listed as his residence. The door of the garage was found open when the police arrived on scene.

Urging anyone with information to come forward - confidentiality will also be safeguarded - Valletta said the police was exploring all avenues, including that this murder could be linked with other murders.

Cassar was already a familiar name to the police after armaments and explosives where found in his garage two years ago. Asked whether Cassar had ever been investigated in connection with explosives found placed under the van of Paul Degabriele, aka is-Suldat, Valletta preferred not to comment. The investigations related to this case were still ongoing.

Degabriele, 49 of Fgura, was shot dead outside the Enemalta customer care office in Marsa last May. Back in December 2012, Degabriele had been arrested in connection with the murder of two criminal suspects in Mosta.

"What is certain is that the victims of these murders were targets... They could be linked and they could be not. All avenues are being studied," Valletta said.

Asked whether any explosives or weapons were found at Cassar's residence, Valletta said members of the bomb disposal unit were still investigating.

Meanwhile, investigations into last week's murder of Guzi Galea are ongoing.

Present for the crime conference were also homicide inspector Keith Arnaud, assistant commissioner Neville Aquilina, deputy commissioner Ray Zammit, Inspector Carol Fabri and head of homicide squad Chris Pullicino.