didn t attempt to run. he just got arrested on the spot. several police officers on site were able to take the suspect into custody and he s now being questioned. police did retrieve a gun and the suspect, again, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. nhk reporters on the scene said they heard two shots while abe was delivering that stump speech. he was there to deliver a speech in support of liberal democratic party candidates ahead of the upper house election, which is set for this sunday. abe is japan s longest-serving prime minister, first elected in 2006 before serving multiple different terms over the years that had followed before stepping down in 2020 because of health concerns relating to a long-term debilitating disease. despite stepping down, abe remained a key player in japanese politics, speaking very candidly about taiwan, hinting even recently at japan s increased military role, possibly military role in taiwan. again, former prime minister shinzo
i m michael holmes, coming to you live from the cnn center? atlanta. breaking news out of japan, former prime minister shinzo abe has been rushed to hospital, after being shot according to japan s broadcaster nhk. this happened as he was giving a speech in western japan. for those just catching up on things, let s start with what we know happened. japanese public broadcaster nhk is reporting that former japanese prime minister shinzo abe house shot twice in the chest while delivering a speech at 12:30 local time. abe was rushed to the hospital, bleeding from his chest in a state of cardiac arrest. nhk says that abe was conscious and responsive. will be transported after the shooting. witnesses say abe was shot from behind. he didn t collapse after the first shot but did collapse after the second shot at the time. the suspect did not attempt to run. was arrested on the spot. a man believed to be in his 40s, has been arrested with possession of a gun. the gun is believed to b
democracy and suppression of freedom of speech. you played the video and we heard those two gunshots ring out. earlier today around 11:30 a.m. local time, nhk reported that shinzo abe had been shot twice, once in the chest and according to the fire and disaster management agency, once in the neck. it happened while delivering a speech, a stump speech around 11:30 this morning local time in western japan about an hour and a half, two hours ago the current prime minister held a press conference and addressed abe s current condition. take a listen. translator: first of all in the morning today in noara, i received the news that shinzo abe is shot and in critical condition. i pray that he pulls through. reporter: he went on to call the shooting an unforgiveable act. nhk says the former prime minister was bleeding from his chest and in a state of cardiac arrest while being transported to the hospital. witnesses say he was shot from behind, he didn t collapse after the first sh
security detail tackling the suspect. a local resident in his 40s. the gun he used appears to have been handmade, a motive not known at this time. as brianna said abe was japan s longest serving prime minister and was still a towering figure in japanese and international politics. he had crucial working relationships with both president obama and president trump. this assassination causing shock waves around the world this morning. let s get right to cnn s blake essig who is in tokyo with the very latest. blake, what can you tell us? reporter: brianna, john, devastating news here in japan. doctors at nara medical university hospital have confirmed that japanese former japanese prime minister shinzo abe has died after being shot twice, once in his chst and once in his neck. doctors treating former prime minister said that his heart had actually stopped by the time that he reached the hospital, they said that he was bleeding profusely and that the bullet that killed abe w
current prime minister fumio kishida really encapsulated the emotions felt across japan. he was visibly upset, in tears almost, you know, as he talked about the current condition of former prime minister abe and went on to say that calling the shooting an unforgivable act. abe s brother and current minister of defense nobuo kishi also addressed the media calling the attack an affront to democracy and the suppression of freedom of speech. witnesses say that abe was shot from behind, he didn t collapse after that first shot but did collapse after the second shot before receiving cpr and the suspect as you described a man in his 40s was arrested on the spot in possession of what nhk is describing as a handmade gun. now, abe was there in japan s western city to deliver a stump speech for the liberal democratic candidates ahead of the upper house election set for this sunday, while a couldn t verse figure here in japan at times and around the world for his policies, abe is an in