KAWASAKI, Japan — At least three people, including the suspected attacker, are dead and 16 injured after a man wielding knives stabbed a group made up of mostly schoolgirls Tuesday at a bus stop in Kawasaki, Japan, authorities said.
According to The Associated Press, the attacker, believed to be in his 40s or 50s, approached the Noborito Park bus stop while shouting, "I will kill you!" and began stabbing the children, authorities said. One witness told local news outlets that the man also tried to board a bus, the AP reported.
A 12-year-old girl and 39-year-old man were killed in the attack, the BBC reported. The suspect also died from self-inflicted wounds to the neck, authorities said.
Three people were seriously injured in the attack, while 13 suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the AP. Most were girls who "attended a school founded by Soeurs de la Charite de Quebec, an organization of Catholic nuns in Quebec City in Canada," the AP reported. Its students reportedly range from elementary to high school-age.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the incident "extremely harrowing," the AP reported.
"I feel strong resentment," he said, adding: "I will take all possible measures to protect the safety of children."
そして、被害にあわれた方々に対しましてお見舞いを申し上げます。
— 安倍晋三 (@AbeShinzo) May 28, 2019
子ども達の安全を何としても守らなければなりません。
先ほど関係閣僚に対して、子ども達の登下校時の安全確保について、早急に対策を講ずるよう指示いたしました。 https://t.co/tcueOVIvdT
U.S. President Donald Trump, who was in Japan on a state visit, also expressed his condolences.
"I want to take a moment to send our prayers and sympathy to the victims of the stabbing attack this morning in Tokyo," Trump said, according to the AP. "All Americans stand with the people of Japan and grieve for the victims and their families."
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
