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Japan attack: suspect turns himself in after 19 killed in stabbing – live Japan attack: Satoshi Uematsu named as suspect in stabbing that killed 19 – live
(about 1 hour later)
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The confirmation that 19 people have been killed could make this the worst mass killing in Japan since the second world war.
Japan stabbing update: There were nine women and 10 men among the dead, ranging in age from 18 to 70, according to the local fire dept
3.08am BST
03:08
From the US, the White House has offered its condolences to Japan:
The United States offers our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the heinous attack today in Sagamihara, Japan.
We also pray for the speedy recovery of the dozens of individuals who were wounded.
There is never any excuse for such violence, but the fact that this attack occurred at a facility for persons with disabilities makes it all the more repugnant and senseless.
The thoughts of the American people are with our Japanese friends as they mourn the lives lost.
2.46am BST
02:46
Suspect named as Satoshi Uematsu
Local government officials have now confirmed that the suspect in the knife attack is Satoshi Uematsu.
Associated Press reports:
A Kanagawa prefecture official told a news conference that Uematsu entered the building about 2.10 a.m. by breaking a glass window on the first floor of a residential building at the facility for disabled people.
Shinya Sakuma, head of prefectural health and welfare division, said Uematsu had worked at the facility until February. Japanese media reports said he is 26 years old.
The Sagamihara fire department has said 19 people were killed in the attack Tuesday morning.
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What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
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More from the Associated Press:More from the Associated Press:
A woman who lives across from the facility told Japanese broadcaster NHK that she saw police cars enter the facility around 3:30 a.m.A woman who lives across from the facility told Japanese broadcaster NHK that she saw police cars enter the facility around 3:30 a.m.
“I was told by a policeman to stay inside my house, as it could be dangerous,” she said. “Then ambulances began arriving, and blood-covered people were taken away.”“I was told by a policeman to stay inside my house, as it could be dangerous,” she said. “Then ambulances began arriving, and blood-covered people were taken away.”
NHK reported the suspect, 26, is a former employee at the facility, Tsukui Yamayuri-en. Another broadcaster, NTV, said he broke into the facility by smashing a window with a hammer, and that he was upset because he had been fired, but that could not be independently confirmed.NHK reported the suspect, 26, is a former employee at the facility, Tsukui Yamayuri-en. Another broadcaster, NTV, said he broke into the facility by smashing a window with a hammer, and that he was upset because he had been fired, but that could not be independently confirmed.
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Justin McCurryJustin McCurry
The facility is home to 149 residents aged between 19 and 75. Kyodo news agency said 40 of them are older than 60.The facility is home to 149 residents aged between 19 and 75. Kyodo news agency said 40 of them are older than 60.
Local residents and relatives of the people living in the facility rushed to the scene following news of the attack but are reportedly waiting for local officials to release the names of the dead and injured, local media said.Local residents and relatives of the people living in the facility rushed to the scene following news of the attack but are reportedly waiting for local officials to release the names of the dead and injured, local media said.
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The Tsukui Yamayuri Garden facility is a 7.6-acre residential care center built in woodland on the bank of the Sagami river, according to Reuters. It was established by the local government, according to NHK, and cares for people with a wide range of disabilities.The Tsukui Yamayuri Garden facility is a 7.6-acre residential care center built in woodland on the bank of the Sagami river, according to Reuters. It was established by the local government, according to NHK, and cares for people with a wide range of disabilities.
It has a maximum capacity of 150 people, according to Kyodo.It has a maximum capacity of 150 people, according to Kyodo.
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Ambulance crews seen working outside the facility this morning:Ambulance crews seen working outside the facility this morning:
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NHK reports that the suspect had “a number of sharp weapons in his bag, a number of them bloodstained” when he was taken into custody.NHK reports that the suspect had “a number of sharp weapons in his bag, a number of them bloodstained” when he was taken into custody.
It’s believed he used a hammer to break a window into one of the facility’s residential buildings to get in.It’s believed he used a hammer to break a window into one of the facility’s residential buildings to get in.
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Death toll increases to 19Death toll increases to 19
Kyodo News is reporting that four more people have been declared dead by authorities following the stabbing attack on a facility providing care for disabled people in Sagamihara, about 40km southwest of Tokyo.Kyodo News is reporting that four more people have been declared dead by authorities following the stabbing attack on a facility providing care for disabled people in Sagamihara, about 40km southwest of Tokyo.
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The Associated Press is now reporting that police have said the suspect turned himself in “about two hours” after the 2.30am call to police from the facility in which an employee said “something horrible is happening”.The Associated Press is now reporting that police have said the suspect turned himself in “about two hours” after the 2.30am call to police from the facility in which an employee said “something horrible is happening”.
Some historical context, also from the Associated Press:Some historical context, also from the Associated Press:
Mass killings are relatively rare in Japan, which has extremely strict gun-control laws. In 2008, seven people were killed by a man who slammed a truck into a crowd of people in central Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district and then stabbed passers-by.Mass killings are relatively rare in Japan, which has extremely strict gun-control laws. In 2008, seven people were killed by a man who slammed a truck into a crowd of people in central Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district and then stabbed passers-by.
Fourteen were injured in 2010 by an unemployed man who stabbed and beat up passengers on two public buses outside a Japanese train station in Ibaraki Prefecture, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north-east of Tokyo.Fourteen were injured in 2010 by an unemployed man who stabbed and beat up passengers on two public buses outside a Japanese train station in Ibaraki Prefecture, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north-east of Tokyo.
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Estimates for the number of dead and injured victims of this attack remain fluid at this point.Estimates for the number of dead and injured victims of this attack remain fluid at this point.
NHK is now reporting 15 dead and “about 20” injured, while Asahi Shimbun is reporting that 19 people are feared dead with “as many as 24” more injured.NHK is now reporting 15 dead and “about 20” injured, while Asahi Shimbun is reporting that 19 people are feared dead with “as many as 24” more injured.
Kyodo News is now reporting at least 15 killed and 28 wounded, but that latter figure appears to include four who firefighters said displayed “no vital signs”.Kyodo News is now reporting at least 15 killed and 28 wounded, but that latter figure appears to include four who firefighters said displayed “no vital signs”.
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The timeline of events is still fairly murky.The timeline of events is still fairly murky.
Asahi Shimbun says that staff called police “with reports of a man armed with a knife” on the grounds of the facility at 2.30am local time, and NHK says that the alleged attacker turned himself in at the local police station “just after 3am”.Asahi Shimbun says that staff called police “with reports of a man armed with a knife” on the grounds of the facility at 2.30am local time, and NHK says that the alleged attacker turned himself in at the local police station “just after 3am”.
Tsukui police station is a 15-minute drive from the Tsukui Yamayuri Garden facility, which means either that the attack took place extremely quickly or was already well underway when the emergency services were called.Tsukui police station is a 15-minute drive from the Tsukui Yamayuri Garden facility, which means either that the attack took place extremely quickly or was already well underway when the emergency services were called.
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The motive for the attack remains unclear at this point.The motive for the attack remains unclear at this point.
According to the newspaper Asahi Shimbun, the suspect was quoted by police as saying “I want to get rid of the disabled from this world,” and other outlets including the New York Times have quoted him as saying that disabled people should “disappear”.According to the newspaper Asahi Shimbun, the suspect was quoted by police as saying “I want to get rid of the disabled from this world,” and other outlets including the New York Times have quoted him as saying that disabled people should “disappear”.
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In this aerial view, emergency service vehicles can be seen lined up outside the Tsukui Yamayuri Garden facility in Sagamihara, outside Tokyo, where the attack took place.In this aerial view, emergency service vehicles can be seen lined up outside the Tsukui Yamayuri Garden facility in Sagamihara, outside Tokyo, where the attack took place.
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Justin McCurryJustin McCurry
A resident of the area, located in a mountain valley south of Mount Takao, told NHK that police had arrested a man with blond hair dressed in black clothes.A resident of the area, located in a mountain valley south of Mount Takao, told NHK that police had arrested a man with blond hair dressed in black clothes.
The facility provides accommodations and daycare services for people with disabilities and has a swimming pool, gym and medical clinic, according to Kyodo News.The facility provides accommodations and daycare services for people with disabilities and has a swimming pool, gym and medical clinic, according to Kyodo News.
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The alleged perpetrator of the attack is being named by the news agency Kyodo as 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu, who reportedly handed himself in to police after the attack.The alleged perpetrator of the attack is being named by the news agency Kyodo as 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu, who reportedly handed himself in to police after the attack.
He was immediately arrested and charged, according to NHK, who report that he told police that he was a former employee of the centre, which provides care to disabled people.He was immediately arrested and charged, according to NHK, who report that he told police that he was a former employee of the centre, which provides care to disabled people.
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Exact numbers for the dead and injured are still unclear. According to Japan’s state broadcaster NHK, the death toll stands at 15, with the number of injured rising to 45.Exact numbers for the dead and injured are still unclear. According to Japan’s state broadcaster NHK, the death toll stands at 15, with the number of injured rising to 45.
The Tokyo-based news agency Kyodo News is reporting that local firefighters responding to the scene told them that four of the injured “showed no vital signs”.The Tokyo-based news agency Kyodo News is reporting that local firefighters responding to the scene told them that four of the injured “showed no vital signs”.
Police were called at 2.30am local time, Kyodo reports.Police were called at 2.30am local time, Kyodo reports.
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At least 15 people are dead and 20 others injured in a stabbing attack at a facility for disabled people in Sagamihara, outside Tokyo, in the worst mass killing to strike Japan in decades.At least 15 people are dead and 20 others injured in a stabbing attack at a facility for disabled people in Sagamihara, outside Tokyo, in the worst mass killing to strike Japan in decades.
Other news agencies are reporting that the death toll could be as high as 19.Other news agencies are reporting that the death toll could be as high as 19.
A 26-year-old man turned himself in following the attack, according to the Japanese state broadcaster NHK. Police said that the man was a former employee of the facility.A 26-year-old man turned himself in following the attack, according to the Japanese state broadcaster NHK. Police said that the man was a former employee of the facility.
Our correspondent Justin McCurry in Tokyo will be bringing us updates as they come.Our correspondent Justin McCurry in Tokyo will be bringing us updates as they come.
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