Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, died after being shot twice on Friday while giving an election campaign speech in the city of Nara.

Abe was rushed to a hospital without any vital signs, doctors said. He sustained wounds to the front of his neck, damage to the heart and a major artery, Hidetaka Fukushima, the head of emergency services at Nara Medical University Hospital said. The damages led to excessive blood loss and he went into cardiopulmonary arrest at the site of attack, the Japan Times reported.

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Doctors attempted a blood transfusion after they were unable to stop the bleeding, Fukushima said, adding that Abe received over 100 units of blood in transfusions over four hour, according to the Times of India.

Abe was declared dead at 5:03 p.m. local time at the hospital where he was being treated. However, an official cause of death confirmation is yet to be made.

Police confirmed that a suspect had been taken into custody in connection with Abe’s shooting. The suspect has been identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, a resident of Nara. The 41-year-old told police that he was frustrated with Abe and intended to kill him.

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According to Fuji TV, the alleged shooter had been a former maritime self-defense force member for about three years, until around 2005. However, no official confirmation regarding the suspect’s work or life has been given.

Leaders from across the world expressed their shock and sadness over Abe’s assassination.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe’s death an “irreplaceable loss.” 

South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol sent condolences to Akie Abe, wife of Abe.

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“I send my condolences to the bereaved families and Japanese people who have lost the longest-serving prime minister and respected politician in Japan’s constitutional history,” Yoon was quoted as saying in a statement delivered by the presidential office. Yoon added that the shooting was “an unforgivable act of crime.” 

“Sharing a picture from my most recent meeting with my dear friend, Shinzo Abe in Tokyo,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.