Japan’s former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, died after being assassinated at a political event earlier today. Local media reported that the man who shot Abe was “dissatisfied” with him and wanted to kill him, citing Police sources.
The culprit is a 41-year-old, a former member of the Japanese Maritime self-defense force. As per the officials, explosives were found at the shooter’s house.
Shinzo Abe was engaged in a campaign speech outside a train station in the western city of Nara When two shots rang out. The security officials were seen tackling the culprit in a grey T-shirt and beige trousers.
A photograph of Abe has been floating on the internet with him lying face-up on the street by a guardrail, blood on his white shirt. He is surrounded by the crowd, one of them giving him a heart massage.
Japanese people expressed their resentment and shock at the assassination attempt in a country like Japan, where violence is rare and guns are regulated stringently.
“Everything that can be done is being done to revive him. I’m praying from the depths of my heart that his life will be saved,” Kishida told reporters, adding he was not aware of any motive.
Armed security agents accompany senior Japanese politicians but often get close to the public, especially during political rallies when they make roadside speeches and shake hands with passersby.