According to local media, a person was arrested for attempted murder after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and injured at chest  while delivering a prepared speech on Friday. According to police sources, the man appeared to be in his 40s and a gun had been confiscated. When contacted by AFP, local police did not respond immediately.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reportedly showing “no vital signs” after being shot during a campaign event in the Nara region, according to local media.

According to police sources, a man in his 40s was arrested for attempted murder and a gun was confiscated from him, according to NHK.

The previous leader was giving a stump speech at an event ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections when the sound of gunshots was heard, according to NHK and the Kyodo news agencies.

Shehzad Poonwalla, national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stated “, “I am distressed to hear the terrible news emanating from Japan about Former PM Shinzo Abe. Shinzo Abe has been a true friend of India & my prayers are with his family, friends, supporters and people of Japan..” Shehzad begged everyone to not give an opinion on Abe’s health condition and instead pray for his healing.