UPDATE: The police believe they have the main suspect from yesterday’s murder. It turns out that the victim is Lino Mangion, the cousin of Judge Robert Mangion, who was appointed to the judiciary in 2012. TVM reports that one of the four Qormi men picked up for questioning yesterday is being treated as one of the main suspects. 

TVM also reports that the main target of the shooting was likely to be Raymond Grima, not Mangion as previously cited.

The daughter of the victim took to Facebook to pay tribute to her father who was known as Pewx.

Several gunshots from an automatic weapon broke the silence in Mdina Road, Attard, yesterday evening at around 6.20pm, killing Lino Mangion from Qormi. The 60-year-old had just gone inside Raymond’s Upholstery in Mdina Road.

Raymond Grima, the shop owner, was also seriously wounded and is currently fighting for his life in Mater Dei. A motive has not yet been established. 

Here’s what we know so far:

1. The killer got away on a motorcycle

Wearing a crash helmet during the shooting, the gunman is believed to have escaped alone on his motorbike, heading in the direction of Rabat.

2. The Police Commissioner was on site right away

Contrary to recent murders, Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar was on site soon after the shooting, flanked by Assistant Commissioners Silvio Valletta, Ian Abdilla and Martin Sammut, Senior Superintendent Anthony Cassar and Inspector Elton Taliana. Magistrate Aaron Bugeja is leading the investigation. 

3. Four people from Qormi have been questioned already

According to the national broadcaster TVM, four people from Qormi were soon picked up for questioning by the police. 

4. The shop owner is still fighting for his life

As he was being rushed to hospital Raymond Grima was able to speak to the police and give them some indication of how the incident happened, saying the gunman, wearing a crash helmet, got into the shop and began shooting soon after Mangion walked in. Both men seem to have been hit by around three bullets each.

5. A massive search is underway

TVM also reported that an Armed Forces of Malta helicopter was immediately deployed to search for the killer, together with around 50 police officers and 20 police cars. 

6. This is the seventh murder this year

The last murder, killing journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, happened on October 16th.  

Do you have any information about yesterday’s murder? Call the police on 119 if you do. 

READ NEXT: Police Name Only One Person Questioned Over Daphne Caruana Galizia’s Murder

Chris Peregin

Christian is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who founded Lovin Malta, a new media company dedicated to creating positive impact in society. He is passionate about justice, public finances and finding ways to build a better future.