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Shinzo Abe, a former Japanese prime minister, was shot on Friday morning in the city of Nara while giving a speech. According to news agencies citing local media, the accused shooter, a man in his 40s, has been detained and is being questioned by police in relation to the event. The island nation, which is regarded as one of the safest in the world and has some of the toughest firearms prohibitions, was shocked by the incident.

How did the scene develop?

Abe was reportedly shot twice from behind while standing about 10 feet away and speaking to supporters in the western city of Nara during an election campaign for the upper house. Videos broadcast by NHK showed the former PM collapsing as what appeared to be gun smoke was flowing from behind him. Security personnel tackled a man on the street, and he was quickly taken to jail.