At Least 19 killed In Knife Attack On Disabled Home Outside Tokyo

An ambulance outside the facility for disabled people where at least 19 people have
been killed and dozens injured in a knife attack in Sagamihara, outside Tokyo. Photograph: AP

At least 19 people have been killed and 45 more injured in a knife attack at a home for the disabled in Japan.

According to reports, a knife-wielding man broke into the building in the city of Sagamihara, west of Tokyo on Monday.

The staff of the institute notified police who arrived and arrested the 26-year-old suspect, reported to be a former employee at the facility.

Police have yet to formally establish a motive for the attack. However, Uematsu was put in hospital earlier this year for almost two weeks after he said he would kill disabled people.

Authorities said Uematsu had been “involuntarily committed” to hospital on 19 February, after police in the town of Tsukui contacted him in response to a letter he had attempted to pass to the speaker of the lower house of Japan’s parliament.

In the letter, Uematsu argued that the government should permit euthanasia for disabled people, said he would be willing to carry out such killings himself, and detailed how he would do it.

“I envision a world where a person with multiple disabilities can be euthanised, with an agreement from the guardians, when it is difficult for the person to carry out household and social activities,” the letter said.

Uematsu’s letter said he could “wipe out a total of 470 disabled individuals” by targeting two facilities for disabled people during the night shift, “when staffing is low”.

“The act will be carried out speedily, and definitely without harming the staff. After wiping out the 260 people in two facilities, I will turn myself in.”

He was released from hospital on 2 March.