Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe assassinated

[DanNCL]

Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has been shot at a campaign event in Nara and is in a critical condition. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-62089486

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has collapsed after he was shot at an event in the city of Nara.
Mr Abe was shot at twice while he was giving a speech, causing him to fall to the ground. His attacker has been arrested.
Ex-Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe said in a tweet that the 67-year-old Mr Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest.
The term is often used before a death is officially confirmed in Japan.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that Mr Abe had a bullet wound on the right of his neck, and also suffered subcutaneous bleeding under the left part of his chest.
It is unclear if both shots hit him, or if a bullet hit him on the neck and travelled elsewhere.
"Former prime minister Abe was shot at around 11:30 local time (02:30 GMT) in Nara. One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown," chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
"Whatever the reason, such a barbaric act can never be tolerated, and we strongly condemn it."

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2022 ==

Japanese TV now reporting he’s died.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-62088876?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=62c7f026b893776ef3343739%26Shinzo%20Abe%20has%20died%20-%20Japanese%20media%262022-07-08T08%3A51%3A51.114Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:d59abc1e-fa92-4aaf-bf80-ef039f224280&pinned_post_asset_id=62c7f026b893776ef3343739&pinned_post_type=share

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died, according to Japan's national broadcaster.

Abe, 67, who remains Japan's longest serving prime minister, was shot while giving a campaign speech.

The suspected attacker - reported to be a man in his 40s - was tackled at the scene and arrested.

 

[DarloRich]

very sad news - shot with what looks like a homemade gun

 

[Strathclyder]

Something of a shock to come across this news earlier. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.