Tetsuya Yamagami: The Shooter Who Opened Fire At Ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a divisive arch-conservative and one of his nation's most powerful and influential figures, has been declared dead after he was shot while delivering a speech on Friday in Nara city in western Japan, as per NHK public television.

Abe,67, was shot from behind right after he started delivering his speech. He was airlifted soon after the incident for emergency treatment but reports claim that he couldn't breathe and his heart had stopped. Later, he was declared dead at the hospital, as per NHK.

However, the suspect has been arrested by the Japan Police. The incident shocked the entire Japan which is known to be one of the world's safest nations and has some of the strictest gun control laws anywhere.

According to local media reports, the man has been identified as Tetsuya Yamagami who reportedly is a resident of Japan's Nara city. Japanese media also claimed that Tetsuya is a former Maritime Self-Defense Force member. He was "dissatisfied" with Abe and wanted to kill him.

#WATCH | Ex-Japanese PM Shinzo Abe shot during a speech in Nara city. Fire Dept says he's showing no vital signs, is in cardiopulmonary arrest & scheduled to be transferred by medevac to Nara Medical University. Shooter nabbed.

Aerial visuals from Nara City.

(Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/OSVxn48fyD

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2022

According to NHK, Abe was making a campaign speech outside a train station when two gunshots were heard. He  collapsed on stage in the middle of his speech. Police also claimed that a shotgun might have been used in the attack and the suspected shooter is believed to have made the gun himself. The accused is currently being questioned at Nara Nishi police station.