[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] See also here. - Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 67, was shot in the chest on FridayHe was in the city of Nara in Western Japan giving a campaign speech when he was shot
- Abe collapsed around 11:30 a.m. as witnesses reported hearing a gunshot
- He is reportedly in heart failure and showing no vital signs
- A man, 42, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder
Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, of Nara City, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said, according to NHK. A gun confiscated from the scene appeared to be homemade, police said.
| Updated by the Daily Mail at 1:06 a.m. EDT to add: |
Local media including national broadcaster NHK and the Kyodo news agency said the former prime minister appeared to be in 'cardiorespiratory arrest,' a term often used in Japan before a feared death can be officially confirmed by a coroner.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, a military veteran, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.
The 67-year-old, who served for a total of nine years over two terms, was gunned down in the city of Nara around 11.30am as he rallied support for the local candidate ahead of parliamentary elections on Sunday. His death was reported by public broadcaster NHK around six hours later, shortly after wife Akie arrived at his bedside.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 41 and a navy veteran, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder while wielding what appeared to be a home-made shotgun. Police say he has since confessed, telling them he wanted to kill Abe because he was 'dissatisfied' with him. |
