Shinzo Abe Shot and Killed: Shinzo Abe, a former Japanese prime minister, was shot and killed on Friday morning during a political rally in the city of Nara. The broadcaster showed images of Abe lying collapsed in the street as many security personnel rushed to help him. When Abe passed out, he was gripping his chest and had blood all over his clothes. A hospital was dispatched to treat Abe. A gunshot was heard when Abe was giving a speech in Nara, where he was campaigning ahead of Sunday’s election for the upper house of parliament. Soon after, on suspicion of attempted murder, police detained a male suspect at the scene.
“Officials say former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has been confirmed dead. He was reportedly shot during a speech on Friday in the city of Nara, near Kyoto,” Japanese media outlet NHK tweeted on its official Twitter handle. Liberal Democratic Party sources also confirmed the same.
Abe has been hit towards the left of his chest as multiple shots were fired by the attacker, reported Reuters, One appears to have hit the former PM in the neck.
A 41-year-old man Tetsuya Yamagami, believed to be a resident of Nara City, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for shooting at Abe, reported Japanese media, He is believed to be an ex-military member a former maritime self-defence force member, Reports.
A witness to the attack told NHK that the apparent shooter did not attempt to escape after the shooting. He instead laid down the gun and remained on the spot as he was caught by security personnel.
Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, widely considered Abe’s protege, termed the attack barbaric.
“It is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated. We will do everything we can…At this moment, doctors are working very hard to save Mr. Abe,” he said in a televised address.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply disturbed” by the news. “Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan,” he wrote on Twitter.
US ambassador Rahm Emanuel said America is “saddened and shocked” by the shooting. “Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States,” Emanuel said in a statement. “The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and the people of Japan.”
Abe, who comes from a political dynasty, gained notoriety as the PM with the most days in office consecutively before announcing his intention to resign in 2020 due to a recurrence of a serious ailment. He had a good connection to India and had been there in 2006, 2014, 2015, and 2017.
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