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Police in Hidaka City, Saitama Prefecture, have arrested a 58-year-old man on suspicion of firing an air gun from the roof of his house at a 9-year-old boy.
The incident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday as the boy was riding his bicycle home, NHK reported. The boy told police he was stopped at a traffic light when he felt something hit his helmet. The boy said he looked up and saw a man on a rooftop holding what looked like a rifle. When he returned home, his parents called the police.
Police said a pellet from an air gun had struck the helmet.
The suspect, Hiromi Yabuki, has denied the allegation. Police quoted him as saying he went up on the roof to shoot at birds.
Two air guns and a large amount of pellets were seized from Yabui's home, police said.
Police are investigating whether this incident is related to a report made last week in the same area by a traffic patrol officer who saw air gun pellets on the road after a sign had been hit.
© Japan Today
10 Comments
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garypen
More like a 58-year-old child.
BB
Glad he was wearing a helmet.
BeerDeliveryGuy
Air gun, airsoft gun, or BB gun? If it was an “Air gun” as the article states, that kid may not have lived to call the cops.
Air guns shoot keyhole or champagne cork shaped pellets and have ballistic properties comparable to .22LR, with some newer models comparable to .223.
Air soft guns, popular with MilSim enthusiasts, are strictly regulated by law to be powered at less than 1.0 joules of muzzle velocity. Pretty much enough to make you say “ouch” but not penetrate skin.
BB guns are the typical Red Ryder break action guns that fire the same caliber (6mm) balls as airsoft, but the ammo is typically made of metal rather than plastic. Depending on how many times it is pumped, or the brand/model it can vary in strength from similar to an airsoft gun, or the same as a low powered air rifle.
OssanAmerica
Yes, a clear explanation of this "air gun" would help. As far as I am aware "air guns" (of the kind I am familar with in the U.S.) are treated as firearms under the Firearms & Sword law in Japan. Were these airguns licensed, and what are the ordinances against shooting them where he lived? But realistically, his shooting at people on the road/sidewalk puts all these questions on the backburner. He is obviously irresponsible and needs to be charged and airguns taken away.
HopeSpringsEternal
another moron brought to justice with no real harm!
factchecker
A 58 year old Japanese man child.
dbsaiya
So this arse aimed for the head? Throw the dang book at him. Literally, corner first, then haul him off.
Hercolobus
Need to tech him to act like a responsible and law-abiding citizen.
shogun36
get a job