Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated Friday while giving a campaign speech in the city of Nara in southern Japan.
The assassin was immediately apprehended by police and is in custody.
It appears a homemade firearm was used in the attack.
Abe was a highly respected leader on the world stage, and despite being out of power, he still held considerable influence in Japanese politics.
Condolences have flooded in from nations around the globe as the world learned of the shocking news.
Political violence is exceedingly rare in Japan, especially in the years following their post World War II demilitarization.
Abe was 67 years old, and leaves behind his wife of 35 years Akie Abe.
