4人刺傷　被害者は助けを求め店へ… 男を逮捕　殺人未遂容疑や傷害容疑も視野に捜査　大分県佐伯市

On the morning of the 13th, an incident occurred in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, where four people were injured after being stabbed by a man. Police arrested a 44-year-old man residing in the city on suspicion of violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law and are investigating the details of the incident. We have a live report from the scene. --TOS Reporter Nanako Kai (Live from the Scene) The four people were stabbed in the parking lot of the TSUTAYA Saiki store in Saiki City and on the surrounding streets. According to police and fire officials, at around 9:45 a.m. today, a 110 call was received reporting that "a man had been stabbed in the side." Police subsequently arrested Hiroshi Noshita, a 44-year-old physical therapist residing in the city, at a nearby hospital on suspicion of violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law. Four people, including a high school student, were injured, and two men, aged 84 and 63, sustained serious injuries. A store employee stated: "Noshita did not enter the store, but three people came in seeking help." "The staff who were asked for help shared information via intercom and responded." The police tape that had been in place around the store until recently has been removed, and the store reopened for business around 5 PM. In this incident, four people were suddenly attacked by a man with a knife. The man is believed to have attacked people in multiple locations. That concludes our report. [Current understanding of the incident] ◆TOS reporter Yui Kugimiya "This is the scene of the incident. Police are investigating the surrounding area." Emergency responders gathered at the store where the incident occurred. A man with a knife attacked people in this area. The incident occurred along the national highway, about 300 meters from Saiki City Hall. The incident came to light around 9:45 AM when a 110 emergency call was received from someone near the TSUTAYA Saeki store reporting that "a man has been stabbed in the right side of his abdomen." ◆A person nearby said: "A woman was going back and forth and then went into TSUTAYA. I was surprised and wondered what was going on." ◆Another person nearby said: "A man was being treated while sitting on a chair at the entrance, and he looked quite injured when he was being transported." Then, about 10 minutes later, at 9:58 AM, another call came in from Saeki Central Hospital, about 700 meters from the store, reporting "a person with a knife." ◆TOS reporter Kensuke Yamaji said: "The suspect had moved from the crime scene to Saeki Central Hospital and was apprehended by police on the first floor." This is footage from security cameras installed around the hospital. Several police patrol cars rushed to the hospital after receiving the report. ◆A person nearby said: "I was shocked. I was sitting in a small space (inside the hospital), but a lot of people came to evacuate. When I asked an elderly woman what was happening, she said, 'Someone is rampaging with a knife.'" At 10:06 AM, Noshita was arrested on the spot by police who had arrived at the scene on suspicion of violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law for possessing a knife with a blade approximately 18 centimeters long. On the afternoon of the 13th, police were also conducting forensic work on a street near the TSUTAYA Saeki store. Police are investigating the possibility that Noshita attacked people in the TSUTAYA Saeki store parking lot and on surrounding streets before heading to the hospital. 【Latest Investigation Information from the Police Station】 -TOS Reporter Ippei Watanabe (Live from the Police Station) We report from the Saeki Police Station. Noshita, who was arrested on the spot today, is currently being questioned here. In this incident, four men and women were suddenly attacked with a knife. It is still unclear whether the suspect, Noshita, knew the four victims, or whether it was a random attack. The circumstances leading to Noshita's arrival at the hospital are also expected to be revealed in future investigations. Police are investigating the case, including examining the knife seized at the hospital and interviewing the victims, with the possibility of attempted murder or assault charges in mind.