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Japan’s ex-PM Abe showing ‘no vital signs’ after shooting – reports

Japan’s ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been rushed to the hospital after apparently being shot while giving an address, local media reports said, noting that bystanders heard two loud bangs before Abe collapsed.

Abe, 67, fell to the ground during a speech in the city of Nara on Friday morning and was seen bleeding.

“Former prime minister Abe was shot at around 11.30 am in Nara. One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters, adding that the attack was “unforgivable.”

“Shinzo Abe was giving a speech and a man came from behind,” one witness told NHK, adding that “the first shot sounded like a toy. He didn’t fall and there was a large bang. The second shot was more visible, you could see the spark and smoke.”

Local media reported that Abe was in a state of “cardiopulmonary arrest” afterward, citing local fire and hospital officials. The term is often used in Japan to indicate a person has no vital signs, but has not yet been certified dead by a coroner.

Footage circulating online purported to show both the shooting and its aftermath, with Abe seen delivering his speech before a loud blast erupted behind him accompanied by a cloud of smoke.

  • Paramedics were also seen working on Abe before he was airlifted to a hospital for treatment, while what appears to be a homemade firearm was also spotted in a photo captured at the scene.

A suspected shooter has been apprehended for attempted homicide, a man said to to be in his 40s, who is being interrogated by police.

Japan’s longest serving prime minister, Abe was campaigning for an upcoming parliamentary election this weekend, speaking in favor of the ruling Liberal Democratic party.

  • Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled his campaign stops and would soon return to Tokyo, officials said.

Source: RT

Notes:

According to the local media reports, the man has been identified as Tetsuya Yamagami who is a resident of Nara city where Abe was delivering his speech. The local media has also reported that the suspect used a shotgun and has been charged with attempted murder. Tetsuya Yamagami is believed to have made the gun himself.

As per the media reports, Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested on the suspicion of the attempted murder of the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He was brought to Nara Nishi Police Station. His gun was also confiscated by the police which was later revealed to be handmade.

As per the media reports, at the police station, Yamagami said that he shot the former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe since he was dissatisfied with him. Japan’s news agency NHK reported that cops at the police stations are listening to his statement.

Tetsuya Yamagami: 5 things to know about Shinzo Abe’s shooter

1. The report by the news agency has also revealed that Tetsuya Yamagami worked for the Maritime Self-Defence for three years until around 2005.

2. As per Japan’s Public broadcaster NHK, Tetsuya Yamagami did not run away. Reportedly, he targeted Shinzo Abe with the intention of killing him.

3. Tetsuya Yamagami is believed to be standing behind Shinzo Abe, 10 feet away, when he fired at him.

4. Tetsuya Yamagami used a shotgun and has been charged with attempted murder.

5. Shinzo Abe collapsed on the stage in the middle of the speech. Tetsuya Yamagami was tackled to the ground by security.

Source: Jagran Josh