The passing of music legend David Bowie shocked his numerous fans around the world — including a Sapporo man who attempted to kill himself in public.
Tomoki Shiota, 25, unemployed, was taken into police custody early Monday evening on suspicion of possessing a box cutter for the purpose of committing suicide, Hokkaido police said.
"I wanted to kill myself because I was so shocked by the news of David Bowie's death," he was quoted as telling investigators.
Shiota was spotted crying and shouting while holding the box cutter in front of a shipping company in Sapporo at around 4:50 p.m. He was subdued by an employee of the company when he accidentally dropped the blade, according to the police. No one was injured.
"If I were to kill myself, I wanted to do it in public," Shiota was quoted as saying.