Society

Investigators: Abe shooter made gunpowder for attack

Jul 14 (NHK) - NHK has learned that the suspect in the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has admitted to making gunpowder for the attack.

Abe was shot last Friday while making a campaign speech in Nara City, western Japan. The suspect, 41-year-old Yamagami Tetsuya, was arrested on the spot.

Police have learned that Yamagami studied online video on how to hand-manufacture guns, using steel pipes and other materials.

He apparently prepared for the attack by repeatedly test-firing guns he made.

The suspect is reportedly telling investigators he made gunpowder by mixing ammonium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal, and also extracted gunpowder from fireworks. He says he looked up the process on the Internet.

Ammonium nitrate has been used for explosives in terrorist bombings overseas. But it's also used for fertilizer, so it's easy to obtain.

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