The man who stands accused of fatally stabbing a male fifth-grader in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, had told a neighbor "not to worry" shortly before he allegedly carried out the attack, NHK reported Monday.
Oshu Nakamura, 22, who was arrested early Saturday in connection with the death of Toshi Morita, 11, has so far denied committing the slaying, claiming he did not kill the boy and had never even seen the victim before.
Morita died near his home Thursday afternoon after he was found lying in a vacant lot bleeding from deep stab wounds to his chest and head.
NHK quoted police sources as saying Nakamura had been seen by a male neighbor shortly before the attack near the vacant lot. Nakamura had a knife in his hand, the witness told police.
As the neighbor found him suspicious and asked him what was going on, Nakayama told him, "I haven't caused any trouble. Please don't worry whatever happens," according to NHK.
Nakamura headed toward the vacant lot, and the witness told the police that he heard a boy cry out shortly afterward.
An autopsy found that Morita died from massive blood loss after being stabbed in the heart. The police said he died instantly.
The autopsy revealed about 10 other wounds, including two to his head that were deep enough to break bone and cuts on both arms, probably inflicted when he tried to defend himself.
The police said the locations and characteristics of the wounds indicate the attacker may have used several types of weapons, including a hatchet or ax.