Commissioner John Rizzo spoke in defence of the police officers who shot and killed Sebastian Borg, saying they had acted “in the course of their duty”. Borg, known as Bastjan tax-Xott, was shot five times in the upper part of his body on Friday night in Qormi.

Mr Borg, 52, from Qormi and who lived in Msida, was shot down on Friday night by police officers at around 11pm in Main Street, Qormi.

In a briefing for the press held yesterday afternoon, Commissioner Rizzo said that the man had stabbed a policeman over 15 years ago. Furthermore, he said that Borg had been an inmate at Mount Carmel Hospital and added that he did not have further details.

According to the autopsy report, Borg received five gunshots to the front of his body – three in the chest, one in the shoulder and one in the head.

Mr Rizzo explained the series of events that led to Borg’s death. He said that according to prima facia evidence, the duty officer at the Qormi police station had received a report at around 10.30pm on Friday evening, from a person who said that Borg had hit his car several times and damaged it.

A few minutes later, he received another report that Borg had gone into a bar and started threatening the clients and taking their drinks, said Mr Rizzo.

At that moment, the police were informed that Borg was in main square and soon after two women filed a report at the police station that Borg was damaging another car.

When the police received the third report, a sergeant and two officers who were armed and patrolling the area in a police car found Borg in Main Street.

Mr Rizzo said that as soon as Borg saw the police car, he ran into Correa Street.

At that point in time, the sergeant and a police officer got out of the car and ran after Borg asking him to stop.

“Mr Borg got a knife out of his pocket and started brandishing it at the sergeant. When he saw Borg waving the knife in his face, he started walking backwards slowly and ordered him to put away the knife,” said Mr Rizzo.

However, he said, Borg ignored the sergeant’s orders and continued to wave the knife in his direction.

“When confronted with Borg brandishing the knife in his direction, the sergeant fired a warning shot in the air to try and stop him,” said Mr Rizzo.

The sergeant, who was still retreating, stumbled and fell, hitting his head on the ground, explained the commissioner.

“He began to kick and, seeing that Borg was still walking towards him, he fired one shot in his direction,” said Mr Rizzo.

Borg then ran to the other side of the road and the police officer who was still in the car tried to stop him by blocking the road with the vehicle, he said.

However, he said, Borg put his head and shoulders through the passenger window, threatened the policeman with the knife and then ran off again into Main Street.Once again the police officer tried to close off an exit route using the car.

The police officer who was following Borg on foot, asked him repeatedly to put down his knife, said Mr Rizzo.

“He told Borg that he would put away his gun and asked him to throw down his knife at the same time,” he said.

“However, as the police officer was about to put the gun back in the holster, Borg ran at him waving the knife aggressively.”

“Shots were fired in Borg’s direction and he fell to the ground. He was certified dead soon after,” he said.

Duty magistrate Jacqueline Padovani was called on site and is currently carrying out an inquiry.

Mr Rizzo said that the series of events were reconstructed following statements made by the police officers involved and a number of eyewitnesses.

The commissioner said that as it was a very sensitive case that happened while police officers were carrying out their duty, an internal inquiry will also be carried out.

“We want to make it very clear to the public that we will do our utmost to find out what truly happened,” he said.

Furthermore, said Mr Rizzo, he did not want any preconceptions or speculations spread about the case.

Mr Rizzo said that, possibly, one gunshot wound could have been fired when the sergeant was on the floor, but added that the police could not say who fired which shots.

He could not say if Mr Borg was drunk and that the police are awaiting the results of the toxicology report.

“However, he did not appear drunk – he seemed steady on his feet but looked very aggressive,” said Mr Rizzo.

The whole incident took place in a matter of minutes, he added.

When asked if the police will be checking any CCTV cameras that might be in the area, Mr Rizzo said that the police are not excluding the possibility.

“We will make use of all that is available and do our utmost to find out the truth behind the matter,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Sammut said the victim’s brother was called on site soon after and was given an explanation of what had happened.

The three police officers involved in the shooting were not suspended but held for further questioning. Furthermore, he said, the sergeant and police officer who fired the shots are suffering from shock.

“Believe me, shooting a person is not an easy decision to take. The police

officer who fired shots at

Mr Borg is suffering from severe shock and will

undergo treatment,” said

Mr Rizzo.