Japan suspect ‘stalked Abe’ the day before the attack
NARA, JAPAN
A man arrested in Friday’s fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Nara City has told police that he had also followed Abe in Okayama City the day before the attack, according to investigative sources.
The Nara prefectural police are investigating the attack with an eye on the possibility that the assailant, armed with a homemade gun, had been watching for an opportunity to commit the murder.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, of Nara City, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly shooting Abe in front of Yamato-Saidaiji Station at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Abe, the former president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was giving a stump speech to support an LDP candidate in the House of Councillors election when he was attacked.
Yamagami, currently unemployed, was formerly a Maritime Self-Defense Force member.
“I made guns to kill former Prime Minister Abe. I also made a bomb. I was so determined to kill him and was stalking him in the places he visited for campaign speeches,” Yamagami was quoted as telling the police during questioning, according to investigative sources. “I also visited the venue in Okayama City,” he was quoted as saying.
Abe on Thursday evening attended a rally for supporters of an LDP candidate for the upper house election at a civic center in Okayama City. He spoke for about 10 minutes before leaving. About 2,300 people had gathered at the venue, exceeding the 1,700 seats available.
According to campaign staff, the planned visit by the former prime minister had been tweeted about for over a week in advance by the candidate.
Yamagami told the police that he had learned about Abe’s plan to give a stump speech in Nara City from online information. The police believe he found out about Abe’s visit to Okayama City in similar fashion.
Visitors to the Okayama City venue were required to sign in with their names and addresses. Following Friday’s shooting, the campaign staff checked the list, but Yamagami’s name was not included. Personnel from the Okayama prefectural police and the Metropolitan Police Department were on guard. No full-body scan with metal detectors was conducted at the venue.
In police questioning, Yamagami named a specific religious group, which he said he “hated,” according to investigative sources. “I meant to target the group’s top person, but it was difficult. I thought Abe had a connection with it, so I carried out the shooting,” he was quoted as telling the police.
He also told the police that his mother was a follower of the group. “She donated a large amount to the group and went bankrupt, so I had to make sure I punished it,” he was quoted as saying.
Ocala, Florida - George Henry Bennett, Jr. aka Hank, born in Miami and later an Ocala resident, passed away on September 5, 2021, at the age of 70. Hank’s greatest passion in life was music; he was a gifted musician. As a young adult he earned his Master Electrician License and worked in the family business, Bennett Electric Company. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Hank is survived by his siblings Richard Bennett of Ocala, Bonnie Bennett of Miami; children Josh Bennett (Sharon) of California, Amy Miller (Brian) of Wisconsin and Nicholas Newman of Orlando. He is also survived by grandchildren Taylor Bennett; Erin, Emily, Ellianna and Elise Miller; nieces Kelly Bennett Smith (Jon), Kacey Bennett, Danielle Baldwin (Gray); nephew Dylan Bennett; great nephew and niece Jack and Jane Baldwin; and great nephew Wesley Smith.
The family will hold a private memorial in July. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hank’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Gregg L Mason Funeral Home, 305-757-9000