Tetsuya Yamagami Can Shoot 2 Times Freely, Protection Method For Shinzo Abe Is Now Questioned

Screenshot from Asahi Shimbun Video

JAKARTA - The public questioned the details of Shinzo Abe's security operation when delivering a speech on a stump in Nara Prefecture. Gunmen were able to freely approach Abe and fired twice.

Calmly, Tetsuya Yamagami walked from behind Shinzo Abe who was giving a speech. No one tried to hinder or even prevent him from getting any closer.

Even though Tetsuya Yamagami was carrying a homemade weapon. Sure enough, he fired the first shot that seemed to miss Abe's target. But the next shot was fatal to the death of the former Japanese PM.

According to the Asahi Shimbun, Abe's security team consisted of Nara prefectural police officers and bodyguards dispatched from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

The campaign event featuring Abe was decided in no time. Meanwhile, the draft security plan was drawn up on the evening of July 7th.

Tomoaki Onizuka, Nara prefectural police chief examined and approved the plan on the morning of July 8.

Foto dijadikan tangkap layar dan diambil dari Asahi Shimbun

"There were no modifications, and I was comfortable with the plan," he said.

Onizuka was asked if the police and others reacted too slowly after the first shots were fired.

"I've seen some footage, including security camera footage," he said.

"I will really check if the security plan is sufficient to respond to the gunshots."

A senior National Police Agency (NPA) official declined to divulge details of the existing security measures.

But the official said police were doing the job keeping in mind that "an emergency is always possible."

Keeping politicians safe during election campaigns is always a daunting challenge, the official acknowledged, noting that police try to maintain a reasonable distance from the public even though they often want to interact with people giving speeches.

Toshihiko Matsumaru, a former MPD member and senior consultant at Ohkoshi Security Consultants, questioned the way security guards were supposed to protect Abe's back.

After checking various TV shows about the attack, Matsumaru said no officers appeared to be watching the crowd behind Abe.

"Whether officers were deployed to guard him from behind should be investigated," he said.

Matsumaru said bodyguards are routinely trained to protect the person they are in charge of by pushing the individual to the ground and using their own body for protection in the event that something unnatural happens.

TV footage captured at least two shots, apparently with homemade weapons. According to Matsumaru, the actions of the police officers who were closest to Abe after the gunfire broke out were questionable.