The former prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, was shot twice when attending an event in Nara. The second shot hitting his back made him collapse to the ground. A man in his 40s was arrested and believed to be the shooter.
Yoichi Masuzoe, Ex- Tokyo governor, tweeted that Mr. Abe is currently in cardiopulmonary arrest. A term most often used in Japan before death is declared.
Chief Cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters, “Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot around 11:30 local time (02:30GMT) in Nara. A man believed to be the shooter has been taken into custody. ”
He added, “Whatever the reason, such a barbaric act can never be tolerated, and we strongly condemn it.”
Eyewitnesses see a man with a ‘large gun’
Mr. Abe gave a speech in support of a candidate at Nara. When the attack happened, eyewitnesses saw a man carrying a large gun.
The first shot missed him, but the second shot hit his back. Mr Abe instantly fell to the ground, bleeding. Security then immediately arrested the gunman, who made no signs of escaping.
Mr. Abe was “conscious and responsive” when taken to the hospital, as a local news channel broadcasted. They also added that police took custody of the gunman, identified him, and seized his gun.
Mr. Shinzo Abe was the longest-serving prime minister in Japan. He took office in 2006 for one year. He again took office from 2012 to 2022 before stepping down for health reasons. Later that year, he revealed that he suffered a relapse of ulcerative colitis, an intestinal disease.
The US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel said Mr. Abe has been an “outstanding leader of Japan and an unwavering ally of the US.” And that the US is “praying” for his well-being.
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