Tokyo man on wanted list after hammer attack on students

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the whereabouts of Teruyuki Takabayashi on suspicion of attempted murder.

The suspect is about 173 centimeters tall and well-built, wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants and carrying a black bag.

The MPD is searching for the suspect in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures and is asking the public for information.

Takabayashi is suspected of striking a 17-year-old male high school student in the face several times with a hammer on the premises of a "yakiniku" barbecue restaurant in front of his home between 7:15 am and 7:25 am Wednesday.

The incident occurred in a residential area about 700 meters northwest of JR Fussa Station.

Five people were injured, including one student who suffered a fracture of the left orbital floor. Another student and three police officers sustained minor injuries.

According to the MPD, the man carried out the hammer assault after seven high school students had been loitering on the street near his home.

Shortly before the incident, the man's mother warned the students, who responded that they would be quiet.

After attacking the students, he sprayed liquid at six police officers who rushed to the scene, fled into his home and then escaped through a back door while the police were distracted.

According to investigative sources, Takabayashi was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in October 2023 for allegedly attacking a boy in his 10s at the time, striking him in the head with an ax, causing injuries that required two weeks of treatment. He was not indicted.