Former Japan Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe Shot Twice While At Campaign Event, Feared Dead (Videos)
Shinzo Abe, 67, the former Prime minister of Japan is currently fighting for his life after he was shot twice at a campaign event on Friday, July 8.
According to chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Abe, he was shot at around 11:30 am in the country’s western region of Nara.
“One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown.
Whatever the reason, such a barbaric act can never be tolerated, and we strongly condemn it,” He told reporters.
Reports have it that Abe, who is Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, was delivering a speech at an event ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections, with heavy security present. However, his attacker was able to approach him easily.
In the video shared online, the minister could be seen standing on a stage when a loud blast is heard and smoke is visible in the air.
A man is then seen being tackled to the ground by security.
Speaking about the sad incident, a young woman at the scene told NHK;
“He was giving a speech and a man came from behind. The first shot sounded like a toy. He didn’t fall and there was a large bang. The second shot was more visible, you could see the spark and smoke.
After the second shot, people surrounded him and gave him cardiac massage.”
Reports also have it that the former prime minister, who held office in 2006 for one year and again from 2012 to 2020, appeared to be in “cardiorespiratory arrest”(a term often used in Japan before a feared death can be officially confirmed by a coroner).
Confirming the incident, an official at Nara Medical University hospital told AFP:
“What we can share now is that his transfer here has been completed,” declining to comment on the former leader’s status.
We are all saddened and shocked by the shooting of former prime minister Abe Shinzo,” US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said in a statement.
The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and people of Japan.”
Gen Nakatani, the special advisor of the Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida told reporters that “terror or violence can never be tolerated.”
Note that the attack is still a shock to citizens as Japan is famously known for its low levels of violent crime and tough gun laws.
In Japan, getting a gun licence is a long and complicated process even for Japanese citizens as citizens must first get a recommendation from a shooting association and then undergo strict police checks.
Watch below;
High definition video of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe being shot during campaign rally in Nara. Bring this person to justice. #shinzoabepic.twitter.com/Fk8lkDB2oL
— Chicago60614 (@Chicago60614) July 8, 2022
Another angle of former Japan Prime Minister shooting aftermath video:#shinzoabe
— Chicago60614 (@Chicago60614) July 8, 2022
