Breaking: Former Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe Assassinated During Campaign Speech

In the earlier hours of Friday 8th July, 2022, former Prime Minister of Japan, Abe Shinzo was shot while delivering a campaign speech in Nara. He died from his wounds later same day after reportedly suffering a cardiopulmonary arrest. He was aged 67. The police arrested 41 year old alleged shooter, Yamagami Tetsuya for attempted murder before the former Prime Minister's death was announced.

Yamagami Tetsuya is believed to be a former member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force, Japan's equivalent of a naval service. He is said to have left active service in 2005. Officials are yet to release a statement on the suspect's motives. However, Police discovered several possible explosive devices in the search conducted of his home.

Abe Shinzo was the longest serving Prime Minister in the history of Japan. He was in office from 2012-2020. Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has described the assassination as "An act of brutality that happened during the elections - the very foundation of our democracy - and is absolutely unforgivable."

Mr Shinzo is survived by wife, Akie Abe. The couple had no children together. May the soul of the departed rest in peace and may swift justice be served to the perpetrator of this evil deed.