Suspected Gunman in Japan Holding Hostages Inside Post Office After Hospital Shooting

Michael Lee Simpson

31 October 2023 at 9:48 am·2-min read

Police are working to stop the suspect, who reportedly fled on a motorcycle and after possible involvement in an apartment fire

<p>PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty</p> Police officers guard the area around a post office in Japan — PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty
Police officers guard the area around a post office in Japan

A standoff is unfolding in Japan, where a suspected gunman has taken hostages in a post office after allegedly shooting two people at a hospital, according to multiple reports.

“At approximately 2:15 pm today (0515 GMT), a person has taken hostages and holed up at a post office in Chuo 5-chome area of Warabi city... The perpetrator is possessing what appears to be a gun," the city's authorities said on their website, per CBS News.

"Citizens near the scene are urged to follow police instructions and evacuate in accordance with police instructions," they added, per the outlet.

Before the post office, the suspected gunman is believed to have shot and injured a doctor and a patient at a hospital in Toda — a city west of Tokyo — on Tuesday afternoon, "according to media reports citing police sources," The Washington Post reported.

<p>STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty</p> The area around a post office in Japan — STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty
The area around a post office in Japan

<p>STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty</p> Police officers guard the area around a post office in Japan — STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty
Police officers guard the area around a post office in Japan

Authorities were determining whether the non-life-threatening injuries were caused by gunfire, per the outlet.

The suspect then went to a nearby post office, where he’s been holding "two women described as hostages" for over an hour, "according to media reports," per The Washington Post.

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The police are also looking into a possible link between the shooting and a fire that broke out at a residence in Toda, which is believed to be the suspect’s apartment, per The Washington Post.

According to CBS News, the incident left two people with minor injuries, but the cause of their wounds is unclear.

The story is developing.

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Read the original article on People.

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