Two soldiers killed and three injured after being shot 'by teenage army trainee'

14 June 2023 , 10:15

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Members of the Self-Defense Force gather information related to the gunfire incident (Image: AP)

Two soldiers have died and three injured after a fellow military recruit shot them at a firing range on a Japanese army base.

The 18-year-old suspect fired a rifle at other soldiers during a shooting exercise at the Hino Kihon firing range, police said.

Among the three wounded is a 25-year-old soldier, police said.

Japan’s army, the Ground Self-Defense Force, confirmed that two of those wounded were later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The shooter joined the military in April, Lieutenant General Yasunori Morishita, the force’s chief of staff, told reporters, adding that he was detained on the spot by other soldiers.

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A fire truck leaves a base firing range of the Ground Self Defence Force (AP)

"During a live-bullet exercise as part of new personnel training, one Self-Defense Forces (SDF) candidate fired at three personnel", military officials said in a statement.

He continued: "This kind of incident is absolutely unforgivable for an organisation tasked with handling weapons, and I take it very seriously."

The suspect "fired a rifle at the victim with the intent to kill", a police source told the AFP news agency.

Aerial footage broadcast by the station showed military and civilians gathered around an emergency vehicle and police blocking nearby roads.

Some appeared to be investigators, wearing covers over their shoes and hair.

National broadcaster NHK reported the casualties were a man in his fifties and two men in their twenties, however, these identities are yet to be officially confirmed.

Members of Self-Defense Force investigate at Hino Kihon Shagekijo (AP)

A number of other people were believed to be participating in the training when the shooting occurred, but details are still under investigation, an army official said on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

Japan has been known for its safety over guns where control laws are very tight and violent crime is rare.

However several incidents have happened recently, which is growing concern about homemade guns and explosives.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was almost hit by a pipe bomb thrown by a suspect at an election campaign venue in April.

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Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in July 2022 by an attacker using a handmade gun.

Last month, a man was arrested after he allegedly shot two police officers to death after killing two women with a knife in Nagano prefecture.

Rachel Hagan