[UPDATE July 26, 2016 6:15 pm] The attacker has been identified as 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu. Authorities have ruled out any ties to terrorist organizations and are calling the attack an act of mental illness. Uematsu turned himself in at 3:oo am local time carrying a bag of knives and other tools that could be used as weapons. It has been confirmed that Uematsu worked at the facility from 2012 to February 2016 until he left “for personal reasons.” Police state Uematsu wrote a letter to the manager detailing plans for the attack back in February. The letter was turned over to the police and Uematsu was institutionalized for fear he was a threat to others. He was released from the facility in March for undisclosed reasons.
[UPDATE July 25, 2016 6:15 pm] The Japanese NHK news agency state the attacker is a former employee of the facility. Several sources are reporting that the death toll is now up to 19. Asahi Shimbun reported that the suspect was quoted by police as saying “I want to get rid of the disabled from this world.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
At least 15 people have been killed and 43 have been injured at a disabled care home in Japan. The attack took place in the city of of Sagamihara, west of Tokyo. Local police received several calls from staff members at the home stating a man armed with a knife was wandering around the grounds of the Tsukui Yamayuri Garden. The calls first came at approximately 2:30 am local time. The man then broke into the building and began his rampage. The attacker is said to be a 20-year-old man that has been taken in to custody by police. Police state the man turned himself in peacefully.
[revad2]
Map of Japan featuring Sagamihara.
