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Police forces in Nagano, Japan, after a man attacked passers-by
Photo: Kyodo News/AP
In the Japanese city of Nakano, a masked man attacked several people with a rifle and a knife, according to media reports. A woman and two police officers were fatally injured in the incident on Thursday, reported the Japanese broadcaster NHK World.
The police had received information that a woman had been stabbed. After officers appeared at the alleged crime scene, the suspect shot at them. The firearm was apparently a hunting rifle.
The situation was initially confusing. The suspect is said to have barricaded himself in a building that was surrounded by the police. He is said to have worn camouflage clothing, a hat, sunglasses and a mask when he fled. Residents were reportedly called upon to stay in their homes.
According to reports from the Kyodo news agency, the authorities received an emergency call in the afternoon that spoke of a knife attack. Nakano is located in Nagano Prefecture on the main island of Honshu.
him/dpa