A man was shot and stabbed to death on a Marsaxlokk street yesterday following an argument inside the Nationalist Party club.

The murder suspect, who is from the same town, was arrested shortly after the incident.

The victim, Anthony Borg, 39, known as Il-Bona, parked his Isuzu pick-up in front of the club in the main square at about 6 p.m. and went inside where he confronted someone who was drinking at the bar, according to police sources.

Mr Borg, of Luqa, was then seen running back out followed by a man. The sources said a number of shots were fired and people who were in the vicinity said they heard at least two shots ringing out.

The victim was then seen running up the hill next to the church before collapsing at the crossroads where, according to witnesses, he was stabbed.

A medical team did not take too long to arrive and tried to resuscitate the victim but he died on the ground where he lay. A chest wound suffered by Mr Borg is believed to be that of a bullet.

Sources said the argument between the victim and the suspect had actually started at around noon at the club but the two were involved in a dispute that had been going on for a couple of weeks. It is understood that they communicated by mobile phone just before the incident.

The dispute is not believed to be related to politics. A police detail was posted outside the suspect's house for security reasons.

Family members and acquaintances of the victim gathered at the crime scene and at one point protested at the presence of journalists and cameramen.

The victim's car and some documents inside it were collected by the police. Duty magistrate Doreen Clarke led the onsite inquiry.

Mr Borg had been involved in another incident in January 1999 when he was run over by a van, although he only suffered slight injuries. Two men accused of attempted murder in the case walked free.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com