TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have revealed that the man suspected in the fatal stabbing of a female employee at the Pokémon Center in Toshima Ward earlier this week had been arrested for stalking last year, reports TBS News (Mar. 26).
At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, police received an emergency call from the Pokémon Center in Higashiikebukuro, Toshima Ward. “A person with a knife is going on a rampage,” the caller said.
During the incident, Taiki Hirokawa, 26, is alleged to have stabbed 21-year-old employee Moe Harukawa at the Pokémon Center in Sunshine City, Higashiikebukuro.
Hirokawa then slashed himself in the neck.
According to the Sugamo Police Station, Hirokawa and Harukawa died at the hospital where they were later taken.
In the latest development, police said that last year they received a complaint from Harukawa regarding stalking behavior by Hirokawa, who was her former boyfriend.
On December 25, police arrested Hirokawa on suspicion of violating the Stalking Prevention Act. He was subsequently summarily indicted and released on January 30.
In addition to regularly interviewing Harukawa about the status of the situation, police issued a restraining order against Hirokawa. Meanwhile, Harukawa reportedly took refuge at the home of someone involved and took time off from her part-time job at the center.
“Cooperate with the police”
The Pokémon Center is on the second floor of the Sunshine City complex, located about an 8-minute walk from JR Ikebukuro Station. According to the shop’s website, it sells cards and character goods from the popular game series “Pokémon.”
An examination of security camera footage revealed that after Hirokawa entered the store on Thursday night he went behind the counter. He then stabbed Harukawa with a knife. He then allegedly stabbed himself in the neck area inside the counter.
Subsequent interviews with investigators revealed that the footage shows Hirokawa continuing to stab Harukawa even after she had fallen. Her body had more than a dozen stab wounds, police said, according to TBS News (Mar. 28).
On Thursday, operator The Pokémon Company issued a press release announcing the temporary closure of the Pokémon Center as a result of the incident. “In order to fully cooperate with the police and to prioritize the physical and mental care of our staff, we will be temporarily closed for the time being,” the statement said.
Tokyo police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.
