Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot during a speech in Nara City early Friday morning.
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The suspect stood behind Abe during his speech
The shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time when witnesses said they heard a gunshot going off within the area while Abe was speaking. Moments later, he collapsed to the ground and authorities stated he appeared to be showing no vital signs as reported by Business Insider. Yamagami Tetsuya,41, has been arrested for the shooting but a statement has yet to be released by the Japanese government.
Video : Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe lying on ground appears to have been shot with shotgun @AbeShinzo pic.twitter.com/tcnfHWb207
— Suprmann (@Finance_d0ct0r) July 8, 2022
‘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 a cardiac massage,’ a witness explained to NHK.
Abe is known as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and served two terms from 2006 to 2007, and from 2012 to 2020. He resigned from his position due to health issues and was succeeded by Yoshihide Suga. Additionally, he is known for strengthening ties between the United States and Japan. He also developed a close connection with former President Donald Trump.
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Foreign leaders send their prayers for the injured prime minister
We are all saddened and shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the U.S. The U.S. Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, & people of Japan.
— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) July 8, 2022
Abe was transported to a local hospital where medics reported he went into cardiac arrest after the shooting.
Thoughts and prayers to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was just shot in an assassination attempt.
Abe was a loyal ally to the U.S., and fiercely defended the idea of national sovereignty.
He’s the guy to the right of Merkel with his arms crossed.
Total legend. pic.twitter.com/3UYKnqv7ub
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) July 8, 2022
Shinzo Abe has been one of the fiercest anti-communists in all of Asia and was never afraid to stand up to the CCP. He dedicated his life to defending his country
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) July 8, 2022
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears to have been shot while giving a speech. This just happened and is breaking news.
This is so unbelievable that it’s hard to grasp what’s even going on.
— Goresh (@Goreshx) July 8, 2022