OITA (TR) – Police in Saiki City arrested a 44-year-old physical therapist after a random stabbing spree on Monday left four people injured, including two elderly men who were severely wounded, reports Nippon News Network (July 14).
Hiroshi Noshita was caught red-handed on suspicion of violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law. At around 9:45 a.m., police received an emergency call from a witness reporting that a man was being stabbed. Officers subsequently apprehended Noshita at a nearby hospital.
The unprovoked attack left four people injured, including a high school-aged girl. Two male victims, aged 84 and 63, sustained severe injuries in the incident.
During questioning, Noshita admitted to carrying out the stabbings. He told investigators that he had no prior acquaintance with any of the victims, reportedly stating that “anyone would have done,” according to investigative sources.
Panic erupted
Witnesses described a chaotic and bloody scene as police and three ambulances descended on the shop. “I saw people running, but I never imagined it was a crime,” one bystander said. “Near the entrance, a man was receiving intense first aid to stop the bleeding. Another was being carried away on a stretcher.”
Following the initial attacks, the bloodied assailant walked approximately 700 meters to Saiki Chuo Hospital. Panic erupted on the facility’s first floor as Noshita began brandishing his weapon.
“I heard screams and people started fleeing toward us,” one hospital visitor recounted. “When I asked what was happening, they said a man was going wild with a kitchen knife. We all crammed into a consultation room like sardines to hide. Everyone was terrified until a broadcast announced he had been caught.”
Classic street attack
Police rushed the hospital and apprehended Noshita on the spot for violating the Firearms and Swords Control Law. He was found wielding a knife with an 18-centimeter blade, just 20 minutes after the initial emergency call was placed.
Tatsuyuki Narumi, a former investigator with the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, characterized the incident as a classic torima (phantom killer) street attack. “The fact that he prepared a kitchen knife shows premeditation,” Narumi noted. “He armed himself with the intent to systematically attack whoever happened to be in his path.”
Police are continuing their investigation and are expected to pursue attempted murder charges against the suspect.
Police are continuing their investigation and are preparing to upgrade the charges against Noshita to attempted murder.
