Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe Assassinated, Details of Device Used in Brazen Public Attack Come to Light
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated Friday at a political rally. Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, was arrested at the scene, according to the South China Morning Post . Police said he used what they called a…
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated Friday at a political rally.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, was arrested at the scene, according to the South China Morning Post.
Police said he used what they called a “home-made gun” to kill Abe.
Local media reports said Yamagami was a former member of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Newsweek quoted local police as saying he told them he “aimed to kill” and was dissatisfied with Abe.
Witnesses reported a man approached Abe from behind while the 67-year-old politician was giving a speech supporting the candidate of his Liberal Democratic Party in Nara as part of the upcoming Japanese elections.
One shot was heard, with no apparent impact. Abe fell after a second shot.
Yoshio Ogita, 74, a leader in the local chapter of the LDP, said he heard the shots and saw white smoke.