Last Updated on July 7, 2022
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reportedly not showing vital signs after being shot during a speech in Western Japan. Abe, 67, was unconscious and showing no vital signs according to reports from the scene. He has been airlifted to a hospital and is fighting for his life.
Mobile phone videos captured the moment Shinzo Abe collapsed after being shot in the Japanese city of Naraa. Bystanders and aides could be seen rushing to help the wounded PM, who was bleeding from his chest.
Video of the scene where Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was shot. Paramedics actively working on Abe and reportedly the suspect being carried out. pic.twitter.com/9DYrmCoxBX
— Global: MilitaryInfo (@Global_Mil_Info) July 8, 2022
The moment that Japanese Former PM Shinzo Abe was shot. Looks to be a DIY shotgun. pic.twitter.com/sC0yzzfIob
— Global: MilitaryInfo (@Global_Mil_Info) July 8, 2022
Police have arrested Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, and named him as the gunman. Yamagami appears to have shot Abe with a sawed-off shotgun.
Seigo Yasuhara, an official in the command center at the Nara Fire Department, said that Abe was under cardiopulmonary arrest and that he had been taken by an ambulance to a medical evacuation helicopter. He was then transported to Nara Medical University Hospital, the Nara Fire Department said.
Yasuhara confirmed that Abe was unconscious and not showing any vital signs.
Shinzo Abe was the country’s longest serving prime minister and served two terms, from 2006 to 2007 and 2012 to 2020. He stepped down in 2020, citing health issues.
Abe was a loyal U.S. ally during his tenure and a personal friend of former President Trump, who he played golf with on numerous occasions. He has long been an outspoken opponent of the CCP as well.
The former Japanese leader was in Naraa campaigning ahead of elections for the Upper House of Parliament, which are scheduled to take place Sunday. Abe was giving a n behalf of Kei Sato, 43, a current member of the Upper House running for re-election in Nara, according to The New York Times.
Fumio Kishida, the current prime minister, was on the campaign trail himself at the time of the shooting. He is currently traveling to Tokyo and is expected to address the nation shortly.
World leaders have offered their thoughts and prayers to Abe and the nation of Japan in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. “We are all saddened and shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo,” wrote U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel in a tweet. “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.”
“Horrified by this terrible news from Japan. Abe Shinzo is one of the great leaders of our times. Right now we must hope and pray that he pulls through,” said former Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull.
This is a developing story.
