• While campaigning on behalf of a parliamentary candidate, former (and longest-serving) Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe (67) was assassinated. 
• Police arrested a 41-year-old former member of the Japanese navy, who reportedly used a homemade gun to shoot Abe from behind. The shooter later admitted his guilt.
• Police said the suspect held a grudge against a “specific organisation” which he believed Abe to be a part of, "adding it was not clear if the unnamed organisation actually existed" (Reuters).
• Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described the event as “dastardly and barbaric,” but stated that the election would continue as planned. Members of the opposition party united with members of Abe's party in speaking out against the attack.
• Context: Japan is known for its extremely low rates of gun violence and strict gun laws.

Why It Matters: Shinzo Abe had been Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, and was currently still an important figurehead in the governing Liberal Democratic Party.

Japan's ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated during a speech (Associated Press)