Ground Self-Defense Force police on Monday searched the family home of a teenage cadet arrested last week over a rifle attack that killed two GSDF members and injured another at a shooting range in the city of Gifu.
GSDF police officers searched the home in Gifu Prefecture — where the 18-year-old suspect had lived prior to his enlistment in April — for evidence that may reveal clues about his motives for the shooting spree.
The incident occurred on Wednesday soon after the start of a live-fire drill.
People familiar with the situation said the cadet loaded the magazine of his rifle without permission, and fired once at Sgt. Kosuke Yashiro, 25, who tried to stop him.
He then approached Master Sgt. Yasuchika Kikumatsu, 52, and shot at him. After shooting another 25-year-old sergeant standing nearby in the thigh, the suspect fired another shot at Kikumatsu.
Right before firing his rifle, the suspect shouted at those around him to not move. He also fired several shots while he was being restrained, with some bullets hitting a wall.
Kikumatsu, who was shot in the chest, and Yashiro, who was shot in the side, died after being rushed to hospital.
The suspect told investigators after his arrest for attempting to murder Yashiro that he did not mean to kill the sergeant and that he shot because he was going to be stopped. The cadet has been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of murder.