Jonathan Pace was hit by five shots, one or more of which proved fatal, the police said this afternoon. He was hit in the chest and lower body.

Addressing a press conference at the police HQ in Floriana, deputy police commissioner Pierre Calleja said that between 10 to 15 shots were fired from a moving car at Pace, owner of Tyson Butcher, while he stood on the balcony in Mahatma Gandhi Street, Fgura, on Thursday.

Mr Calleja said that Mr Pace, 31, lived in the street since he was released on bail on 8 August. It had become a habit of his to go out on the balcony.

Deputy Commissioner Pierre Calleja said the victim was killed in a drive-by shooting. 

Mr Calleja said that the calibre of the bullets fires corresponds with that of an assault rifle and it has been established that the weapon is fully automatic. The modus operandi was similar to that used in the murder of Joseph Galea a few months ago. In that particular case, the victim was killed when unknown assailants sprayed his van with automatic gunfire.

Mr Pace had been accused of the attempted murder of Vince Muscat, known as il-Kohhu. The latter was among a number of people who have been questioned by the police in connection with the murder, sources revealed earlier. Deputy Commissioner Calleja would not confirm if Muscat was interrogated but said investigators have spoken to a number of individuals. No arrests have been made so far.

Sources said 'il-Kohhu,' pictured above in 2010, was interrogated in connection with the murder. 

It cannot be a standalone murder, Mr Calleja said, given the circumstances of the case. The police also appealed for anyone with information to approach them confidentially.

Mr Calleja said investigators are not excluding anything, when asked if the shooter was alone or if he had a driver. The police have a vague description of the vehicle but cannot as yet confirm the make and model. He also dismissed reports that the getaway vehicle had been found, burnt out, and insisted that the investigative team had received no such reports.

The Deputy Commissioner did not exclude that there are eyewitnesses to the case, given the time of day and year.