Tetsuyo Yamagami, Who Shot Japan Ex-PM Shinzo Abe, Used Handmade Gun, Served In Japanese Navy

Japanese police officials have identified Tetsuya Yamagami, a resident of Japan’s Nara city in his 40s, as the person who killed Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Yamagami attacked Abe with a shotgun while he was delivering a speech near the Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara City. Abe fell to the ground and was bleeding from the chest as per photos shared by Japanese news agencies.

Abe was campaigning for the upcoming Upper House elections.

Yamagami was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was brought to Nara Nishi police station. The police also confiscated the gun and the confiscated gun appears to be handmade.

At the police station, Yamagami reportedly said that he shot former PM Abe since he was dissatisfied with him. Cops at the police station are listening to Yamagami’s statement, news agency NHK reported.

The report by Japanese news agency NHK also revealed that Yamagami worked for the Maritime Self-Defense Force for three years until around 2005.

A reporter from Japanese news agency NHK said she heard two loud bangs after which the former Japanese PM collapsed on the ground. He was bleeding and was immediately surrounded by his security officials after being shot.

The reporter, Yuko Oikawa, also filmed the suspect ahead of Abe’s speech where he is seen waiting.

Pictures shared on social media showed Abe lying on the ground with his white shirt bloodied.

Meanwhile, Yamagami was immediately held by security officials and pinned to the ground, according to pictures and videos on social media.

Authorities are still trying to figure out the motive behind the attack.

Japan prime minister Fumio Kishida was alerted of the attack on his predecessor and he immediately rushed from his event towards Tokyo.

Japanese media reports said that Abe went into a cardiorespiratory arrest immediately after being shot.

Japan prime minister Fumio Kishida provided an update and said doctors are working round the clock to ensure Abe’s recovery. He expressed hope that his predecessor will get through this.

“Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in critical condition after the attack. We do not have any information. This is barbaric, malicious and cannot be tolerated,” Abe said.

(with inputs from NHK)

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