January 1, 2019
VAN PLOUGHS INTO PEDESTRIANS
A small van has ploughed into pedestrians celebrating the new year on one of Tokyo’s most famous streets.
The man driving the car fled the scene but was later arrested by police for attempted murder.
Nine people were injured, one seriously, by the attacker who struck in the Harajuku fashion district shortly after midnight.
The street, which was sealed off to traffic, was packed with people heading to a shrine for New Year’s prayers.
The 21-year-old driver of the van was identified as Kazuhiro Kusakabe.
Police told broadcaster NHK that he initially told them he had conducted a terrorist act, but then later claimed it was related to executions. It was not clear if he was referring to a specific execution or capital punishment in general.
BBC