Police have opened an investigation into the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but little is known about the suspect who was arrested at the scene of the fatal shooting on Friday.
Who is the suspect: Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, admitted shooting Abe, Nara Nishi police said at a press conference on Friday. Yamagami, who is unemployed, told investigators he had hatred towards a certain group he thought Abe was connected to. Police did not name the group.
What type of weapon was fired: The suspect used a homemade weapon in the shooting, police said, and footage from the scene showed what appeared to be a weapon with two cylindrical metal barrels wrapped in black duct tape. Authorities then confiscated several items resembling handmade guns from the suspect’s apartment.
The weapon was a gun-like object that measured 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) long and 20 centimeters wide, police said.
Yamagami made several types of firearms out of iron pipes wrapped in duct tape, Japanese state broadcaster NHK reported, citing police. The police found guns with three, five and six iron pipes as barrels.
The suspect inserted bullets into the pipe, for which he had purchased parts online, police said, according to NHK. Police believe the suspect used the most powerful weapon he made in the slaying, NHK added.
Safety probe: Japan’s National Police Agency said it would review security measures put in place ahead of Friday’s shooting, according to NHK. Security was provided by the Nara Prefectural Police, who drew up a security plan for the former prime minister during his stay in the city.
The agency said several dozen Tokyo Metropolitan Police officers and security personnel were on duty and observed Abe from all sides during his speech, NHK said.
