Japan's Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Assassinated At Local Campaign Event
Keneci Channel
According to a witness, Abe, 67, was giving a speech at local campaign event in Nara, Friday, when a man came from behind and fired off several gunshots towards the former prime minister.
Footage of the incident which is circulating online, shows the moment the shooter fired off the first shot, and Abe stopped speaking and turned back to look. He then collapsed the moment the second shot went off. Abe was struck about two minutes and 20 seconds into his speech, according to Japanese outlet NHK.
The suspect could be seen slowly walking back as he was shooting before security agents lunged at him and brought him down.
Another video captured prior to the shooting shows the suspect, 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami scanning his surroundings while standing near a footpath behind Abe. He then takes something out of his bag and walks slowly toward Abe, coming within several yards from the prime minister, before opening fire. A homemade double-barrel handgun which appeared to be held together with duct tape, could be seen on the ground as he was held down by security agents after the shooting.
Yamagami, a Nara native, reportedly told police Friday, that he was dissatisfied with the Abe and wanted to kill him, but not over his political beliefs, apparently?
Police said Yamagami told investigators he had plotted to kill him because he believed rumors about the former leader's connection to a certain organization that police did not identify. The 41-year-old served in the country’s Maritime Self-Defense Force between 2002 and 2005.
Following his arrest, police reportedly found possible explosives and other weapons at Yamagami’s apartment in Nara, and confiscated his personal computer.
Abe the longest-serving prime minister and leader of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has for years advocated for Japan to elevate its status as a defense power, including potentially establishing a proper military. Japan does not have armed forces – only “Self-Defense Forces” in light of its post-World War II constitution.
Abe was a fierce critique of the Chinese government and its communist dictator Xi Jinping. The late prime minister had grown increasingly vocal in his support for Taiwan a sovereign country that China falsely claims to be its rogue province.