Murdered by a single shot - the unsolved murder of Joe Borg

In another feature investigating unsolved murders, Sunday newspaper Illum investigates the murder of 30-year-old watchman Joe Borg who was shot dead in 1990 by three thieves – a crime which is yet to be solved, nearly 24 years later.

On the fateful night of 29th September 1990, Borg, a watchman at a pasta factory in Qormi, had entered the factory at around 6:30pm when he came to face with three unidentified robbers.

Sources had said that Borg was engaged in an altercation with one of the robbers before the thieves shot the watchman three times in his leg. An injured Borg then tried to call for help, but his escape from the thieves was halted by four more shots – one of which hit Borg in his back and killed him.

Just before taking his last breath, the victim was heard saying that there were three persons inside.

Police sources had said that the robbers were not targeting the watchman, but conversely, they only sought to loot the factory premises.  To date it is not known whether thieves targeted the company’s safe, as sources had alleged that something else was hidden in the safe. In addition, police had found a large metal tool that was used to cut open a window, but no safe-opening tools.

In the murder investigations that unfolded, police had serious suspicions in two men, and investigators had enough proof to arraign the men. However, one of the suspects was killed in a bomb attack, while the other suspect, died of a drug overdose.

Read more in today’s edition of Illum.