Posted by Updated / Tuesday, 13 Aug 2024 06:43
An Irish man has been shot dead by Maltese police in a stand-off following the murder of a woman.
Edward William Johnston, a 50-year-old resident in Malta, was fatally shot by police following a three-hour stand-off in the seaside village of St Julian’s.
A 48-year-old woman, Nicolette Ghirxi, was found dead in an apartment complex in the village of Birkirkara, 6km away from St Julian’s.
Police arrived at the apartment complex at around 2am this morning.
Mr Johnston, who was identified as the former partner of Ms Ghirxi, was not at the apartment block when police arrived, and was later located in the St Julian’s area.
Police said Mr Johnston walked into the area armed with what later they found to have been a replica gun, and threatened staff at a nearby hotel.
A stand-off lasted three hours, during which Mr Johnston moved away from the hotel area.
Officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU) attempted to negotiate with Mr Johnston in a bid to get him to drop his weapon.
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, who briefed journalists on the police operation, said the RIU officers twice asked Mr Johnston to put down his weapon.
However, police said he was shot dead by officers when he attempted to charge at them.
Mr Johnston was given immediate medical assistance, but was pronounced dead a few minutes later.
Police have said autopsies are to be carried out on both Mr Johnston and Ms Ghirxi to establish the official cause of death.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who is Maltese, paid tribute to Ms Ghirxi in a post on her Facebook page.
The Irish Embassy in Malta has confirmed that it is aware of the incident and they are available to offer consular assistance to the family.
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