Shinzo Abe: Japan Police Admit To Security Problems Over Former Prime Minister

Who Was The Gunman, And What Did He Intend To Achieve By Bloomberg and The Guardian In a country where gun violence is rare, the murder of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe is raising questions about the shooter and his motive. Here’s what we know based on media reports and official statements. What happened? Abe had just begun a campaign speech in the western city of Nara on Friday when he was shot from behind, from a distance of about three meters (10 feet). Two gunshots were heard. Moments later security personnel tackled a man to the floor. He was wearing a gray t-shirt, khaki trousers and a face mask. Who was the shooter? The gunmen has been identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, an unemployed former member of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force — Japan’s navy — who is being investigated for murder following the confirmation of Abe’s death.