Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe collapses, shots heard, 7 July 2022

[dotr]

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe collapses, shots heard: reports

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has collapsed in Nara, western Japan, and shots were heard in the vicinity, broadcaster NHK reports.

www.thestar.com

''Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has collapsed in Nara, western Japan, and shots were heard in the vicinity, broadcaster NHK reports. NHK reports said he was bleeding while campaigning around 11:30 am. A person of interest may be in custody.

More to come.''

 

[airportwoman]

It's not even on CNN-tv yet. Thanks for the scoop.

 

[dotr]

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 'is shot during speech'

The former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot during a speech in the city of Nara, witnesses said.

www.dailymail.co.uk

''The former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot during a speech in the city of Nara, witnesses said.

He has been taken to hospital bleeding after collapsing while delivering a speech in the city of Nara in western Japan, public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday.

A sound like a gunshot was heard at the time, and a male suspect was detained at the scene, NHK said. ''
''
Police apparently detained a suspect near the scene.

The former prime minister's condition is not yet known.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS STORY ''

 

[realanastasia]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN

We are the international service of NHK, the sole public media organization of Japan.

www3.nhk.or.jp

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has been sent to a hospital and appears to show no vital signs after reportedly being shot in the city of Nara in western Japan, according to a local fire department. An NHK reporter says she heard what sounded like two gunshots and saw Abe bleeding.

 

[realanastasia]

Shinzo Abe shooting: former Japanese prime minister attacked during speech

Former PM collapses after being shot during campaign speech ahead of upper house elections on Sunday

www.theguardian.com

”Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe is in a “state of cardiopulmonary arrest” after collapsing while making a speech, with initial reports saying gunshots had been heard shortly before he fell to the ground.

NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, said Abe – the country’s longest-serving prime minister until he resigned in 2020 – appeared to be bleeding from the chest after being shot from behind with a shotgun on Friday morning.


NHK said a man had been taken into custody but provided no further details. Abe had been in the city of Nara to make a campaign speech ahead of this Sunday’s upper house elections.”

 

[orchidaceaes]

This doesn't look good at all. First link says he's "showing no vital signs" and that the suspect is in his 40s.

Also, "AFP is also reporting local media believe Mr Abe was shot from behind “with a shot gun” and “appears to be in a state of cardio-respiratory arrest”. The news agency says is “a term used in Japan before a feared death can be confirmed by a doctor”. However there has been no confirmation via local authorities." According to the second link, this speech was ahead of a national election, too.

OT maybe, but Nara is a city with ancient political significance, as it was the capital of Japan back in the 8th century. There are a lot of important temples and historical places there.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/former-japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-is-shot-during-speech-in-nara-reports-claim/news-story/c886257722822405d2292ec5004dc211

Shinzo Abe, Ex-Japanese Prime Minister, Collapses; Gunshots Heard at Scene

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe collapsed during a speech in western Japan, public broadcaster NHK reported. An NHK reporter said it sounded like gunshots were heard at the site.

www.wsj.com

 

[dotr]

Shinzo Abe shot: former Japan prime minister ‘showing no vital signs’, say police – live

The country’s longest serving prime minister was taken to hospital after shooting on campaign trail for Sunday’s upper house election

www.theguardian.com

''Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is in a “state of cardiopulmonary arrest” after collapsing while making a speech in the western city of Nara amid reports of gunfire.''

''NHK said a suspect, named by police as Tetsuya Yamagami, a resident of Nara in his 40s, had been taken into custody but provided no further details.

A witness to the attack told the broadcaster that the first shot caused Abe to stumble backwards, adding that he fell to the ground after the second shot.

Amateur video footage showed Abe’s aides rushing towards him as smoke filled the air behind him. The clip does not show the moment he fell.

The suspected gunmen reportedly did not attempt to flee and was detained at the scene.''

 

[dotr]

 

[orchidaceaes]

GRAPHIC PHOTOS AT LINK

安倍元首相が撃たれ心肺停止　演説中に2発、容疑の41歳男を逮捕：朝日新聞デジタル

　8日午前11時半ごろ、奈良市の近鉄大和西大寺駅前で、銃声のような音が2回鳴った。現場にいた朝日新聞記者によると、駅前で街頭演説をしていた安倍晋三元首相が倒れ、救急搬送された。発砲したとみられる男が取…

www.asahi.com

I'm unaware of any rule that states that MSM links have to be in English but if there is one I'll delete this. I found an article with photos of the shooter and the gun. It looks odd. IMO it looks like there is black tape (like black electrical tape) around the barrels, which are short.
With how much influence Abe holds in Japanese politics even after his resignation, this is a huge event and likely will impact the upcoming election.

 

[PrairieWind]

i'm just seeing this now, coming up on news sites. My God! Just stunning.

 

[realanastasia]

Witness: Abe collapsed after second gunshot | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

A woman who was at the scene where former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was shot in western Japan says Abe collapsed right after a second gunshot.

www3.nhk.or.jp

 

[orchidaceaes]

Suspect in Abe shooting used a handmade gun, NHK reports

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been rushed to hospital after he was shot in the chest during a speech in Nara, Japan, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing an official of the Liberal Democratic Party Abe faction.

www.cnn.com

From the link:

Suspect in Abe shooting used a handmade gun, NHK reports​

The suspect in the shooting of Shinzo Abe on Friday used a gun that he appears to have made himself, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK, citing police.
The suspect, Yamagami Tetsuya, is a Nara resident in his 40s, NHK reported, citing police sources.
The man did not attempt to run away, NHK reported. He is being held for questioning at Nara Nishi police station.

What? You can just make a gun? This is terrifying.

 

[IQuestion]

Security grabs shooter.

 

[Arkay]

What? You can just make a gun? This is terrifying.

Earlier on Anderson Cooper, a CNN reporter in Japan did say that the gun appears to be hand-made. I'm guessing it may be one of those ghost guns, the kind people with devious know-how can make in a 3-D printer.

This same reporter also stated that the info he was getting there in Japan was that Abe was conscious. That conflicts with the Daily Mail saying he had no vital signs.

Shooting is so rare in Japan and I'm sure everything is chaotic now. We should have more information tomorrow. (I'm writing this at 1:34 AM EST).

Certainly hoping Abe survives. We've had so much tragedy from guns here in America and it's awful to see this.

 

[orchidaceaes]

Earlier on Anderson Cooper, a CNN reporter in Japan did say that the gun appears to be hand-made. I'm guessing it may be one of those ghost guns, the kind people with devious know-how can make in a 3-D printer.

This same reporter also stated that the info he was getting there in Japan was that Abe was conscious. That conflicts with the Daily Mail saying he had no vital signs.

Shooting is so rare in Japan and I'm sure everything is chaotic now. We should have more information tomorrow. (I'm writing this at 1:34 AM EST).

Certainly hoping Abe survives. We've had so much tragedy from guns here in America and it's awful to see this.

BBM

July 8, 2022 Shinzo Abe shot dead in Nara, Japan

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died after being shot during a speech in Nara, Japan. Follow here for live updates.

www.cnn.com

He was apparently responsive during transportation from the shooting site to the hospital and then was unconscious after (?), but this is the only outlet that I've seen report on that particular detail.
IMO the gun does not appear to be 3-D printed, but more like put together. It looks like the barrels are resting on a plank of wood and taped together. Altogether it's a weird gun, I've never seen something like it before and I'm from a very gun-friendly state.
A link posted by another user earlier said that PM Kishida is going to address the nation later today, I think in roughly an hour and fifteen minutes.
Edit: the press conference is actually happening right now: TV Live | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Live & Programs

 

[realanastasia]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1545284477190311936

Abe reportedly in critical condition, 2 hours post-shooting.

Shinzo Abe in "grave condition" after being shot during Japan election campaign

Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, was shot on Friday while campaigning for a parliamentary election, with public broadcaster NHK saying a man armed with an apparently homemade gun opened fired at him from behind.

www.reuters.com

Motive speculated to be some kind of “dissatisfaction“ with Abe on the part of the shooter.

 

[realanastasia]

Security grabs shooter.
View attachment 353300View attachment 353301View attachment 353303

Bet this photo will win (or at least be in contention for) a 2022 Pulitzer.

 

[MTBiker]

Wiki seems to have the best news compilation - Shooting of Shinzo Abe - Wikipedia

 

[realanastasia]

Pronounced dead: NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Shinzo Abe death: shock in Japan at killing of former PM during election campaign

Police believe attacker bore grudge against Abe as some critics question level of security surrounding Japan’s longest-serving PM

www.theguardian.com

“Hidetada Fukushima, professor of emergency medicine at Nara Medical University Hospital, said that Shinzo Abe sustained two wounds on front of his neck, about 5cm apart. One of the bullets penetrated the heart. He said they conducted blood transfusions but were ultimately unable to stop the bleeding. Abe was treated by a team of more than 20 medical staff.”

He was pronunced dead about an hour after his wife, Akie Abe, arrived at the hospital in Nara.

 

[realanastasia]

The shooter was standing just inches away from Abe, as shown in this video from The Guardian.