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12th August 2024
12:48pm BST
An Irishman has been shot dead by police in Malta after he allegedly killed his former partner.
Named by local media as former soldier Edward Johnston, the man is a suspect in the death of 48-year-old Nicolette Ghirxi, who was found dead in her apartment.
The Times of Malta reported that the 50-year-old was in a two year relationship with Ms Ghirxi, which had broken down.
The Irishman reportedly pointed a replica weapon at the police while he was in the popular tourist area of St Julian's, during a three hour stand-off at around 3am.
Police shot him three times, while he was on the rocks along the shoreline behind a Hilton Hotel, with Police commissioner Angelo Gafa telling a news conference that Mr Johnston informed the police he had murdered a woman.
The man was given medical attention immediately, but later passed away from his injuries.
Police travelled to the woman's apartment in Birkirkara, a city in the east of the country, forced entry and found her dead.
She had reportedly been stabbed by a knife which was found near her body.
The report also states that while there were no previous reports of violence between the couple, in April, Ms Ghirxi filed two harassment reports against Mr Johnston after receiving emails from him when they broke up.
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