Former Japanese PM Shinzo Showing No Vital Signs After Apparent Assassination Attempt

Update (2317ET): Accroding to Kyodo news, former Japanese Prime Minister Abe is reportedly showing no signs of life and has suffered from cardiac arrest after being taken to the hospital, according to police and fire officials.

The 67-year-old was shot from approximately 3 meters (10 feet) away. The shooter, a man in his 40s, reportedly stayed on the scene until his arrest on an attempted murder charge.

Nikkei 225 futures erased gains following news of Abe’s collapse, while the yen gained with US Treasuries.

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Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reportedly been shot in the chest during a campaign speech at around 11:30 a.m. in the city of Nara, near Kyoto. According to NHK what sounded like ‘consecutive bangs’ were heard, after which Abe could be seen bleeding – with some reports saying from the neck. It appears he was shot in the left chest area from behind.

The local fire department reports that Abe is in cardiac arrest, while Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members reported him to be unconscious.

BREAKING: Former Prime Minister Abe collapses in Nara, apparent gun shots heard. Taken away by ambulance after being possibly shot in the chest, NHK reports. pic.twitter.com/sBnz3v5oah

— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) July 8, 2022

Wow l’ancien premier ministre Shinzo Abe se serait fait tiré dessus lors d’un meeting à Nara.pic.twitter.com/KxFZApaF2B

— ⛩ Ryo Saeba ⛩ (@Ryo_Saeba_3) July 8, 2022

A suspect, believed to be a young or middle-aged man, was apprehended at the scene along with a shotgun, according to NHK.

Futures took an immediate hit on the news.