Irish man killed in Malta stand-off
- An Irish man, Edward William Johnston, was shot dead by police in Malta after allegedly slitting his ex-girlfriend's throat.
- The incident followed a three-hour stand-off with police in Malta, resulting in the death of the 50-year-old man.
- The victim was accused of killing Nicolette Ghirxi, 48, before the stand-off unfolded.
In a shocking incident in Malta, Edward William Johnston, 50, has been accused of fatally stabbing 48-year-old Nicolette Ghirxi in her Birkirkara apartment. The attack reportedly occurred early Monday morning, leading to a three-hour standoff between Johnston and police in the St Julian's area. Ghirxi had previously expressed concerns about Johnston's presence in Malta but declined a domestic violence assessment, believing her safety was not at risk. Following the alleged murder, Johnston fled the scene and entered a hotel in St Julian's, where he threatened staff with what appeared to be a firearm. Police were alerted and found him on rocks behind the hotel, where negotiations for his surrender began. Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa stated that the situation escalated to a life-threatening level, prompting officers to open fire when Johnston pointed the replica firearm at them. Despite immediate medical assistance, Johnston was pronounced dead at Mater Dei Hospital shortly after the shooting. Meanwhile, Ghirxi's death has sparked grief and outrage, with friends and family mourning her loss and calling for action against domestic violence. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing consular assistance in light of the incident, which has drawn significant media attention and raised questions about the effectiveness of protective measures for victims of harassment.