Boy, 14, arrested over ice pick stabbing of boy, 13, in Sapporo
In short
Police in Sapporo arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder after a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in the chest with an ice pick on a street in Higashi ward on 20 October. The victim is in hospital and his life is not in danger. The suspect told investigators he stabbed the boy intending to kill him, and the two did not know each other.
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A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in the chest with an ice pick on a street in Higashi ward, Sapporo, on 20 October. Hokkaido police's Sapporo Higashi station arrested the boy, who lives in Higashi ward. Mainichi reported that police made an emergency arrest on 20 October, and Yomiuri reported that the station announced on 21 October the emergency arrest made on 20 October. [ 1 , 2 , 12 , 14 ]
According to Mainichi, Sankei, Jiji Press and Yomiuri, the stabbing is suspected to have happened at around 4:20 pm, near Higashi Naebo 11 (3-chome) in Higashi ward. Nippon TV News and TBS NEWS DIG gave the time as just after 4 pm. The victim, a 13-year-old boy from Ebetsu, was taken to hospital. TBS NEWS DIG and Jiji Press reported that he was stabbed once. Mainichi reported that he was admitted and conscious, and outlets said his life is not in danger. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 14 ]
Several people, including friends of both boys, had gathered at the scene, but the two did not know each other, according to Nippon TV News, Sankei, Jiji Press and Yomiuri. Mainichi and Sankei reported that the suspect left the scene with friends. A neighbor quoted in a Nippon TV News report said there were about 10 children of junior high school age around the intersection. [ 1 , 2 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 14 ]
Mainichi said the fire department's report led police to the case, and that officers identified the suspect from security camera footage and interviews with people involved. Sankei also said the suspect was identified from camera footage and interviews. Jiji Press reported that the boy fled the scene and was found about two hours later by officers who were searching for him. [ 2 , 9 , 12 ]
The suspect admitted the allegation. Outlets quoted him as telling investigators that he stabbed the boy in the chest intending to kill him. TBS NEWS DIG and Jiji Press said police are investigating the motive. The headlines of a TBS NEWS DIG report and a Nippon TV News report suggested the case may have developed from trouble between groups, but the available text did not set out details. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 8 , 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no wider consequences. Police are still investigating the motive and the circumstances, and both the suspect and the victim are junior high school students.
Key facts
- A 14-year-old boy living in Higashi ward, Sapporo, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 12 , 14 ]
- He is suspected of stabbing a 13-year-old boy from Ebetsu in the chest with an ice pick on a street in Higashi ward, Sapporo, on 20 October at around 4:20 pm. [ 1 , 2 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The victim was taken to hospital; his life is not in danger. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The suspect admitted the charge, saying he stabbed the boy in the chest intending to kill him. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The two boys did not know each other; several people, including friends of each, were at the scene. [ 1 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The suspect fled the scene; police identified him from security camera footage and interviews with people involved. [ 2 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over the stabbing of a 13-year-old boy with an ice pick in Higashi ward, Sapporo, on 20 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The victim's life is not in danger. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The suspect admitted the allegation, saying he stabbed the boy intending to kill him. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The two boys did not know each other, and friends of both were present. [ 1 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- The suspect left the scene after the stabbing. [ 1 , 2 , 9 , 12 ]
- Police identified the suspect from security camera footage and interviews with people involved. [ 2 , 9 ]
Still unclear
- The motive for the stabbing. TBS NEWS DIG and Jiji Press said police are investigating the motive; no document states one.
- Whether the incident arose from trouble between groups. The headlines of a TBS NEWS DIG report and a Nippon TV News report say it may have; no document with article text confirms this.
- How the suspect was found after fleeing. Only Jiji Press said he was found by searching officers about two hours later; other outlets said he was identified from camera footage and interviews.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The stabbing took place on a street in Higashi ward, Sapporo, on 20 October, according to Mainichi, Sankei, Jiji Press and Yomiuri; Nippon TV News and TBS NEWS DIG said just after 4 pm. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
- Nippon TV News published its report on the arrest on 21 October. [ 1 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reported that Sapporo Higashi police made an emergency arrest on 20 October. [ 2 ]
- A TBS NEWS DIG report carried a headline saying the case may have developed from trouble between groups. [ 8 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reported on 22 October that the police announced on 21 October the emergency arrest made on 20 October. [ 14 ]