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Man Arrested for Random Stabbing of Four in Japan; Suspect Claims 'Anyone Would Do'

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A 44-year-old man randomly attacked four people with a kitchen knife in the parking lot of a store in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, Japan.
  • The victims, aged 16 to 84, sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious but are not in life-threatening condition.
  • The suspect, identified as Hiroshi Nonogaki, a physical therapist, told police he attacked people randomly, stating "anyone would do."

A shocking act of random violence unfolded in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, Japan, when a 44-year-old man allegedly attacked four individuals with a kitchen knife in a store's parking lot. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, sending shockwaves through the local community.

Anyone would do.

— Hiroshi NonogakiThe suspect's statement to police explaining his motive for the random attack.

Four people were injured in the assault: two men, aged 63 and 84, suffered serious injuries to their chests, while a 16-year-old high school girl and a 61-year-old man sustained minor injuries. All victims were taken to the hospital for treatment and are reported to be out of danger. The attack took place in the parking lot and surrounding roads of a TSUTAYA store.

Police apprehended the suspect, identified as Hiroshi Nonogaki, a physical therapist residing in Saiki City, approximately 30 minutes after the incident. He was arrested on suspicion of violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law. During interrogation, Nonogaki reportedly confessed to the stabbing, stating that his motive was random, telling investigators, "Anyone would do." The victims did not know the suspect, indicating a case of indiscriminate violence.

I saw police suddenly running back and forth, and I knew something must have happened. Then the ambulance arrived and took the injured to the hospital. I never thought something like this would happen, it's really scary.

— 35-year-old manA witness describing the scene in the parking lot after the attack.

Witnesses described a scene of chaos as injured individuals, bleeding profusely, fled into the store seeking help. Store employees immediately alerted the police and ambulance services, providing first aid to the victims. One witness in the parking lot described seeing police rushing around before ambulances arrived, while another elderly man at a nearby medical facility recounted seeing the suspect rush into the building shouting for help before being subdued by police. The suspect's actions did not result in further harm within the medical facility.

That person ran right in front of me.

— 80-year-old manA witness at a medical facility describing the suspect rushing into the building.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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