Sixteen people were injured after a man used pepper spray on them at a shopping mall in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture, police said Tuesday, adding that one man has been arrested over the incident.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 7 p.m. Monday at the Aeon LakeTown mori mall, Fuji TV reported. Two men approached a cafe on the second floor and one man sprayed a substance, witnesses said.
Sixteen people suffered eye and throat pain from what doctors said was pepper spray. Two were taken to hospital ― a 47-year-old woman and her 11-year-old son - but they were discharged later Monday night.
At around 10 p.m. Monday, one of the men, identified as Katsuhiro Seki, turned himself in at a police station. Police quoted him as saying he was at the cafe with a friend and that he had a can of pepper spray. When he took it out of his pocket, he sprayed it by mistake. He insisted there was no intent to harm anyone.
Seki said he and his friend panicked and fled. Police are currently looking for his friend.
© Japan Today
5 Comments
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Do the hustle
Domestic terrorism Japan style. The mind boggles to conclude what the motive could be for such a cruel act. It was likely some kind of pepper spray they bought online and decided it would be fun to spray it into a cafe.
Goodlucktoyou
I sometimes carried pepper spray when I was young and drinking all night in bars/clubs. The only time I had to use it was when 3 guys tried to attack me. I sprayed them. Unfortunately I had the container facing the wrong way into my face. I suddenly burst out into tears. They didn’t realize what had happened as it was a dark, noisy smoke filled bar. Seeing me groveling in tears before things kicked off, they apologized and bought me drinks all night.
now I only take it with me when hiking in bear areas!
nandakandamanda
Great story, Goodluck! Thanks for the smile.
Nobnaga
How is that possible ?? LUL
morrison_rm
Which "he" sprayed the gas? The guy or his friend?