Tomohiro Kato
On June 8, 2008, 25-year-old Tomohiro Kato drove a truck into pedestrians in a busy shopping area of Tokyo.1
He got out of the truck and went on a stabbing spree, killing seven people and injuring 11 others.2
Fast Facts
- Age: 25
- Lived in a small apartment by himself
- Worked in a auto parts factory
- Attacks took place on June 7, 2008
- Location: Tokyo
- Seven people died, including six men and one woman
- 11 other people were injured
- Kato told police he had grown tired of life and hated the world
- Facing possible death penalty
Random Killing Spree
Kato was living by himself in an apartment in Shizuoka. He told police that he had grown tired of his life and how he hated the world. He did not target anyone specifically, the attacks were completely random.2
Around 12:30 pm, Kato drove a two ton truck into a crowded intersection filled with pedestrians. He then got out of the truck yelling, then started randomly stabbing people, including one police officer, with a survival knife.3
Online Messages
Hours before the attacks, Kato reportedly posted several messages online from his cell phone, giving clues that he was going to attack.4 Messages including "I will kill people in Akihabara" and "I want to crash the vehicle and, if it becomes useless, I will then use a knife. Goodbye, everyone." were posted on an internet bulletin board.
Timeline of Messages on Day of Killing
5:21 a.m: Posted message on mobile phone website "I will kill people in Akihabara." and "I want to crash the vehicle and, if it is rendered useless, then I will use a knife. Goodbye everyone."5
11:45 a.m: messages: "Just arrived in Akihabara" and "Today is 'pedestrian paradise,' isn't it?"5
12:10 p.m: message "It is time."5
12:40 p.m.: Drove into three pedestrians then jumped out of car and began stabbings5
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