TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police has launched a manhunt for a 44-year-old man who went on the run after attacking high school students with a hammer and sparking a police standoff in Fussa City on Tuesday morning, reports TBS News (Apr. 30).
Teruyuki Takabayashi, whose occupation is unknown, has been placed on a nationwide wanted list on suspicion of attempted murder.
According to police, the rampage began shortly after 7:00 a.m. on a street in the Kamidaira area. Takabayashi allegedly attacked a 17-year-old high school boy, striking him in the face multiple times with a hammer-like object with the intent to kill.
A total of five people were injured in the assaults, including a second high school boy.
Following the brutal street attack, Takabayashi fled into his nearby residence. When police officers rushed to the property, the suspect confronted them by brandishing a survival knife and spraying what investigators believe to be agricultural pesticides at the officers.
Believing the armed suspect had barricaded himself inside, police surrounded the home and attempted to negotiate his surrender. However, when a tactical team finally breached the residence shortly after noon, the suspect was nowhere to be found.
Investigators believe Takabayashi took advantage of the confusion to slip out the back door and flee the area.
During a search of the property on Tuesday night, police confiscated a hammer, a survival knife, and a chemical sprayer believed to have been used in the attacks.
Police are urging the public to remain vigilant as they track down the suspect. Takabayashi is described as being approximately 173 centimeters tall with a shaved head.
