Officials arrest man for attempted murder after former Japan PM shot: Report

A man, who is suspected to have pulled the trigger on former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was arrested for attempted murder on Friday while delivering a stump speech, local media reported.

It is reported that the man, whose identity is yet to be known, was arrested and a gun had been confiscated, said public broadcaster NHK, citing police sources. Local police were not immediately able to comment when contacted by AFP.

Also read: Who is Shinzo Abe?

On Friday, former Japan PM Shinzo Abe was shot at in western Japan, reported Japan-based media house NHK. He was rushed to the hospital, where he reportedly showed “no vital signs.”

Abe collapsed and was bleeding after apparently being shot during a campaign speech in western Japan, NHK public television said Friday.

Also read: Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe shot, shows ‘no vital signs’: Report

NHK says Abe was bleeding when he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital.

Witnesses reported hearing gunshots in the apparent attack in Nara. He was standing while making an election campaign speech ahead of Sunday’s election for the parliament’s upper house.

“Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo collapsed during a speech in the city of Nara, in western Japan. Initial reports say he may have been injured. An NHK reporter on site heard something that sounded like a gunshot, and saw Abe bleeding,” it said in an alert.