{O/C} {Good evening}
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has passed away at the age of 67 after being assassinated during a campaign speech today in western Japan.
He was subsequently airlifted to a hospital, but officials claimed both his lungs and heart had ceased operation.
While a 41-year-old man is now in police custody, tributes began pouring in from world leaders.
{The following descriptions may be disturbing.}
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Clad in a navy blue suit, Abe was passionately endorsing a candidate in Sunday's Upper House election outside a Nara city train station when he was fatally gunned down in the chest.
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The blood-curdling scene of his collapsing spoke volumes about the inexcusable attack that's appalled one of the world's safest nations.
He was seen holding his chest, his shirt bloody, encircled by plumes of smoke.
A medevac airlifted the roundly wounded former leader to a prefectural hospital, but he was already suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest, in addition to profuse internal bleeding in his left chest with no vital signs.
Hours later, he tragically met his demise.
41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, donning a grey shirt, was tackled and arrested shortly after the shooting for his planned attempt on Abe's life.
Sources say he worked for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force for three years until 2005.
The suspect told the police he'd been disillusioned with the former prime minister.
A purported handmade gun was spotted at the scene.
Before Abe's death, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's eyes glistened with tears.
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As a reign of terror wafts over the nation, the manifestly riled Prime Minister lamented Abe's condition was grave but kept his fingers crossed he would survive.
He also condemned the attack as dastardly, unconscionable and intolerable.
Kishida and opposition leaders have temporarily suspended their election campaigns.
Tweeting their condolences were British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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In China, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said his country was closely monitoring the developments and hoped Abe will be out of danger soon before his death.
Philippine, Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean officials expressed shock and dismay.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez resented the blatant attack and called Abe a valiant statesman.
The White House sent its well wishes to the Japanese people.
And U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent his thoughts and prayers.
{Soundbite}
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. Secretary of State:
It's profoundly disturbing. For the United States, Prime Minister Abe was an extraordinary partner and someone who clearly was a great leader for Japan and the Japanese people.
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