NHK said the suspect was arrested in the early hours of May 26 while hiding out at the home of his biological father, Masamichi Aoki, president of Nakano City Council.
Nakano City Police, on the afternoon of May 25, received an emergency call to report that a man chased and stabbed a woman in the Ebe area.
The police presence made the suspect appear more insane. He then used a revolver (suspected shotgun), opened fire, killing two police officers aged 46 and 61.
A witness reported seeing an assailant with a large knife chasing a woman screaming for help. The suspect was wearing camouflage clothing, a hat, sunglasses and a mask, then reached out and stabbed the victim in the back with a knife measuring several dozen centimeters.
“He continued to stab the victim in the chest after the woman fell to the ground and lay on her back,” the witness added.
NHK said the victim, aged in his 40s, later died of his injuries. In addition to the three people killed, another woman was injured in the shocking attack.
Police officers stand near the site where the Nakano city leader’s son killed 3 people on the afternoon of May 25. Photo: Kyodo
The suspect, aged around 30, ran to Mayor Nakano’s entrenched house for several hours before being apprehended by police. He was identified as the eldest son of Mr. Masamichi Aoki, 57 years old.
The killer’s motivation is still under investigation.
CNN reported that after the suspect furiously attacked, Nakano City Police decided to evacuate people living in an area of 300 meters around the scene.
Authorities requisitioned the gymnasium of a local secondary school. About 60 people evacuated here, provided blankets, food and water.
The house where the suspect shot and stabbed three people to death in Nakano City on the afternoon of May 25. Photo: AP
Gun violence is rare in Japan, a country of about 125 million people. It has one of the lowest gun crime rates in the world due to extremely strict gun control laws.
However, in July of last year, Japan received a major shock when former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated with a homemade weapon while addressing a crowd.
Statistics show that there were nine gun-related incidents in Japan in 2022, including the murder of Mr. Abe, down from the previous year.
Of the nine incidents, six are believed to have been committed by gangs. In total, 4 people died and 2 were injured in these 9 incidents.
