For nearly five hours after former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot this morning, doctors tried to save him, but he could not survive as he had a "wide gaping hole in the heart", according to the hospital.
Shinzo Abe, 67, was making a poll campaign speech when shot twice in the neck from behind, in the western city of Nara, about 500km from the capital Tokyo, around 11.30 am. Some people were seen trying to revive him while ambulances arrived. He was brought to the Nara Medical University hospital by 12.20pm.
"He was in a state of cardiac arrest upon arrival. Resuscitation was administered. Blood transfusion was done too. However, unfortunately he died at 5:03 pm," said Professor Hidetada Fukushima at the hospital.
One of the two bullets from the apparently homemade gun penetrated his heart, the other made his wounds worse.
The shooter — identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old former member of the country's navy — did not try to flee. News agency NHK quoted him as telling the police that he was "dissatisfied" with Abe and wanted to kill him. Officials later found explosives at the house of the shooter. Several news outlets, citing the defence ministry, said he spent three years in Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (the navy) till around 2005.
Abe was making his speech ahead of Sunday's elections to the Upper House of Japan's Parliament, outside a train station, when he was shot.
Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described the assassination as an "unforgivable act". "Abe had the responsibility as a prime minister for eight years and eight months — a record in Japanese politics. He led this country, which was facing many internal and external difficulties, with his outstanding leadership and execution."
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a day's national mourning for Abe, who was awarded the country's second-highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, last year.
"I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe," PM Modi tweeted, "He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place."
