FUKUOKA (TR) – A 19-year-old pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks is facing a police investigation after allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment, wielding a kitchen knife, and assaulting both her and a male guest.
The incident involving Taito Murakami occurred on the afternoon of July 4, just one day after he and his former girlfriend, referred to as “A-ko,” ended their relationship.
According to an interview with the male victim published by weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun (Sep. 19), he was visiting A-ko’s apartment to console her following the breakup. Their conversation was suddenly interrupted when Murakami entered the apartment unannounced using an unreturned spare key.
“Who the hell is here?!” Murakami reportedly roared upon entering.
Upon seeing the male friend, the enraged baseball player began hurling abuse. “Who the hell are you?! I’ll make it so you can’t walk down the street!” he yelled.
“I’m going to kill you”
The victim told the magazine he gave Murakami his full name and tried to de-escalate the situation, calmly asking the teenager to sit down and talk. The athlete, however, refused to listen.
Murakami then grabbed a kitchen knife, cornered victim, and threatened, “I’m going to kill you.” When A-ko managed to wrestle the weapon away from him, Murakami silently wrapped his hands around the victim’s neck, choking him before punching him in the face. A-ko also sustained injuries while attempting to shield her friend and break up the melee.
The male victim and A-ko have since filed a criminal complaint with the Fukuoka Prefectural Police’s Chuo Station.
Murakami and A-ko began dating in June of last year, but the relationship had reportedly turned violent prior to the July breakup. In February, A-ko sought treatment at an orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with a crush injury to her left arm after Murakami forcefully grabbed her.
Despite the looming police investigation, Murakami made his first-team debut for the Hawks in August.
When contacted for comment regarding the criminal complaint and the allegations of violence, the SoftBank Hawks’ public relations office stonewalled reporters.
“As this is a matter concerning the privacy of the player and related parties, we will refrain from commenting on individual facts,” a team representative said.
