Three folks have been killed and one injured in a capturing and stabbing in Japan, with the suspect having barricaded himself inside a constructing, in keeping with native media reviews.

A girl fell whereas being chased by a masked man, who then stabbed her with a knife and shot at two law enforcement officials arriving on the scene with a rifle in Nakano metropolis within the prefecture of Nagano, a witness advised public broadcaster NHK.

The three have been taken to a close-by hospital, the place the lady was pronounced lifeless, police mentioned.

The two law enforcement officials additionally died later, in keeping with NHK.

A fourth one that was injured couldn't be rescued as a result of he was mendacity close to the scene of the assault, Kyodo News company reported.

The suspect is believed to have barricaded himself in the home of the town council president and several other gunshots have been heard close by the positioning, the news company added.

NHK footage confirmed uniformed police sporting bulletproof vests and carrying shields with an ambulance close by.

City officers urged these within the space to remain at residence.

Police described the suspect as a person sporting a camouflage outfit, a hat and masks and sun shades, the Kyodo News company mentioned.

No different particulars concerning the suspect and his motive are identified.

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Crimes involving weapons are uncommon in Japan, the place gun possession is tightly regulated and anybody searching for to personal a gun should undergo a rigorous course of to get a licence.