NARA (TR) – Customers and employees in a coffee shop in Kashihara City apprehended a man after he fatally stabbed his former wife inside the premises on Thursday, police said.
At around 1:25 p.m., a staff member at the outlet for Komeda coffee called police. “A female customer was stabbed. Five people are holding the culprit down,” the caller said.
Emergency personnel arriving at the scene found the victim, 47-year-old Harumi Takaishi, with stab wounds to the neck. She was later confirmed dead at a hospital, reports Nippon News Network (Sep. 6).
Police arrested her former husband, 45-year-old Hiroki Takaishi, on suspicion of attempted murder.
During questioning, Takaishi admitted to the charges, saying, “There is no doubt that I stabbed my ex-wife with a kitchen knife.” Police have now changed the charge to murder and are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.
Group of five
The suspect and victim are believed to have been separated.
According to a restaurant employee, Harumi came to the restaurant with a group of five men and women, including the suspect. Two of the five then exited the premises, leaving Harumi, the suspect and one other person at the table. Shortly thereafter, a loud scream was heard.
Harumi was then found bleeding and collaped on the floor. A knife was dropped nearby.
The suspect was later subdued by five employees and customers in the coffee shop, and was arrested on the spot by police officers who rushed to the scene.
