A 23-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after stabbing and slashing two employees at a convenience store in Tokyo before fleeing on a bicycle, police said.
The arrest of Koki Higashitani on suspicion of attempted murder of one of the workers came after he surrendered himself later that day. The victims sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries, investigative sources said.
Higashitani stabbed a worker in her 40s in the back and slashed the arm of another employee in his 60s at around 2:30 a.m., causing them severe injuries, police said.
The man, who entered the store in Tokyo's Adachi Ward, stabbed the female employee at the cashier register and attacked the male worker in the backroom. He did not ask for money and left the store empty handed, police said.
Another female employee called the police, saying that a man had entered the store and suddenly attacked the employees, according to the police.
The suspect is described as being 170 to 175 centimeters tall with a shaved head. He wore a bluish jumper, black trousers, and red gloves, the police said.
A man in his 80s, who often shops at the store said, "I was shocked to see police cars this morning when I dropped by to grab breakfast. It's scary something like this happened in my neighborhood."
Editor: Story has been updated to report arrest of suspect.
© KYODO
19 Comments
sakurasuki
What is his motives?
garypen
Nice change from the usual "obstruction of business" nonsense they usually apply in these situations.
I wonder if one or both of the victims was acquainted with the perpetrator, and threats were made, which may be why the police are using a more serious charge. Then again, they probably would have named him, if so.
Pardon my ignorance. But, what's a "jumper"? The first thing that pops into my head is a one-piece jumpsuit. But, obviously that can't be it, as he was wearing pants. Is it a type of shirt, sweater, or jacket? (I bit warm for outerwear, though.)
EFD
A jumper is like a sweatshirt or a hoodie. At least that is how I use the term.
Unfortunately nobody who knows Adachi can be too surprised that this kind of thing could happen there. There are a lot of down-trodden workers in that area. On the whole, it's not that great a place to live or work.
albaleo
In the UK, it's the same as a sweater. It seems to have various meanings around the world.
garypen
Thanks guys. It's a bit warm for either a sweatshirt/hoodie or a sweater. Sounds like the guy may have been a little crazy.
BTW, I think the Japanese call a sweatshirt/hoodie, a "trainer". Or, at least they did at one time.
Eugene
The guy should have done this in Hokkaido, he might have gotten a cop's gun from the bathroom.
Harry_Gatto
sakurasukiToday 04:24 pm JST
What is his motives?
Do you really have nothing better to do than stare at the JT homepage all day waiting for new articles so that you can be the first to post something, no matter how inane? How can anyone know his motives until he is caught?
tora
And I bet the perputrator was smart enough to wear a helmet when fleeing on his bicycle to avoid being stopped by the Bill for non-helmet violations, thereby avoiding all suspicion and successfully completing his getaway.
njca4
Sounds like his motive was to just get pleasure out of hurting other people.
No mention of security cameras. They must have had some.
3RENSHO
With those ugly tattoos and shaved head, he certainly looks like a Yakuza...
Larr Flint
Another day another stabbing. Did you change your mind about safe Japan yet?
Kaowaiinekochanknaw
Increasing trend in Japan. Wanton stabbings by the general population.
Lots and lots of pent up rage in the society now.
Very bad and psychologically damaging things have occured to people unfortunately and the situation is only getting worse as the payout begins to show itself.
I can smell it in the air and see it in the eyes. The energy is electric.
Simmering to boil.
memoryfix
“What are his motives?”
Being crazy and angry. Okay?
People feel so much better if there’s a motive. Because if the world is crazy, then they feel crazy. Sorry to disappoint you.
Guy probably reading the news about other angry stabbings and decided that fits his situation. And that’s all.
falseflagsteve
Sounds like a mentalist, needs treatment and prison time.
Spidey
Update:
Suspect has been apprehended.
S
garypen
Does that word mean something different in your pseudo-British English? Because in actual British and American English, it does not mean a crazy person, which is how you always use it. A mentalist is a person who professes to read minds, such as a fortune teller or magician.
garypen
According to NHK, police said the suspect told them, "I thought I'd find a woman and stab someone."
So, his motive was to stab someone, anyone, like so many stabbings lately. Although, in this case, he was specifically targeting women.
wallace
Like the TV series "The Mentalist." I enjoyed that one.
Japan is a paradox
Violence of any kind is abhorrent, but when it's random members of the public, it's time to reconsider your choice of home. Japan has had more than it's fair share of random public violence.