Update 4 | Murdered lawyer had received death threat in 2013

Lawyer Carmel Chircop, 51, shot dead in a garage complex with shots in his side and head

Last updated on 8 October 2015, 4:22pm

2 min read

Lawyer Carmel Chircop was shot dead in a garage on John Borg Street, Birkirkara

AC Silvio Valletta (second from right) delivering the press conference on the Carmel Chircop murder. Photo: Chris Mangion

Chircop was the president of the Duke of Connaught band club

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Police call any witnesses to come forward

A lawyer, Carmel Chircop, 51, was shot and killed in Birkirkara at 7:30am yesterday, Thursday.

The incident took place at the entrance of a four-storey garage complex on John Borg Street, where he kept his Mercedes vehicle garaged. He had walked to the garage from his house.

Assistant Commissioners Martin Sammut and Silvio Valletta told the press in a crime conference that Chircop was discovered by another garage owner as he lay dead, with his face up.

An autopsy will be carried out later on today.

Photos: Chris Mangion

“We do not yet know how many gun shot wounds he has,” Valletta told the press, but added that Chircop had probably been shot with a hand gun from behind.

From footage gleaned from three CCTV cameras in the neighbourhood, a ‘light-coloured’ vehicle was seen driving away from the crime scene, but the make of the car is not known. More witnesses are being summoned by the police.

The police also said it had investigated a death threat made against Chircop back in 2013.

"Nothing is being dismissed at this point and we are looking at every possibility," he said, adding that it was too early in the investigation to have any particular suspects.

MaltaToday is informed that Chircop was shot at least five times, in the head and torso. He was confirmed dead on the spot by paramedics. Bullet-holes were found in his Mercedes car as well.

Lawyer murdered in Birkirkara: crime scene. Video: Chris Mangion

Chircop was a former legal advisor to the Malta Maritime Authority, and in 2008 set up his own law firm - Chircop Advocates - which firm merged into Dingli & Dingli in 2013. Chircop also set up Quorum Corporate Services, which offers accounting services. The lawyer is also listed as a director at government's investment arm, MIMCOL.

Chircop was also formerly listed as a company director on the website of Dolphin Industrial Services.

He was locally known as the president of the Duke of Connaught band club.

The Chamber of Advocates instructed lawyers not to represent anyone at the law courts today. The directive was issued as a mark of respect for the deceased lawyer.

On site were Magistrate Marseanne Farrugia, who will lead the inquiry, as well as deputy commissioner of police Pierre Calleja, AC Silvio Valletta and Martin Sammut, inspector Keith Arnaud, district police office Sandra Zammit, and CID inspectors James Grech, Saviour Baldacchino and Mercieca.