At Least 4 Blades Carried by Toyama Attacker

June 28, 2018

Toyama- A 21-year-old man had at least four edged tools including knives and an ax during his fatal attack against a policeman and others in Toyama the previous day, investigative sources said Wednesday.

The Toyama prefectural police believe the man, Keita Shimazu, a former Self-Defense Forces member, planned the assault in advance and carried it out with a strong intent to kill, the sources said.

According to the police, Shimazu stabbed assistant inspector Kenichi Inaizumi, 46, to death at a police box in the central Japan city and stole his handgun. He then shot to death Shinichi Nakamura, a 68-year-old guard, at around the main gate of a nearby elementary school.

The sources said a bloodstained knife was left outside the police box and that officers saw Shimazu holding another knife and an ax after shooting Nakamura. In addition, a 50-centimeter sword and a pair of scissors were found in his backpack.

They also said a judicial autopsy detected more than 30 cuts and stab wounds to Inaizumi's head and body, as well as a gunshot wound to his left hand.

Meanwhile, it was found that Nakamura was shot in his right cheek and the bullet run through his head. The stolen revolver was recovered where Nakamura was gunned down, with no rounds left in it.

During their search of Shimazu's home in the town of Tateyama in the same prefecture on suspicion of murder and robbery on Wednesday, the police seized model guns in his room.

About two hours before the attack, Shimazu assaulted the manager of a fast food restaurant where he worked part-time after being reprimanded by the manager, it was also learned on Wednesday.

Shot by the police before his arrest, Shimazu has been in critical condition. But he has regained consciousness, the sources said. Jiji Press