Campaign speech was silenced by gunfire / 'Shock, anger over attack will never fade'

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seen at the start of a stump speech in Nara City on Friday. A man believed to be alleged attacker Tetsuya Yamagami is seen carrying a shoulder bag behind Abe. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

NARA -- In the final stages of campaigning for the House of Councillors election Friday, a stump event in Nara City ended in tragedy when former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot at close range.

I was among the press pack covering the event for The Yomiuri Shimbun as Japan's longest-serving prime minister spoke to voters in front of Yamato-Saidaiji Station to drum up support for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate.