World · East Asia & Pacific · 10 hrs ago
Off-duty Saitama police sergeant takes officer’s gun and shoots himself
A 37-year-old Saitama police sergeant shot himself in the head in Koshigaya on November 4.
He was off duty and had been on leave since October 29.
Police say he called emergency services at about 8:45 a.m., claiming his child had been kidnapped on the way to school.
Officers found no evidence that the child had been taken and tried to protect him.
He struggled with them and took a gun from a responding officer before firing it at himself.
He was taken to hospital unconscious and in critical condition.
Police are investigating the gun seizure and circumstances, and say they believe he tried to kill himself.
A 37-year-old Saitama police sergeant on leave took a police officer’s gun and shot himself in the head in Koshigaya.
He was taken to hospital unconscious and in critical condition.
Police said he had made a false emergency call claiming his child had been abducted.
When officers tried to protect him, he struggled and took a gun from a male officer in his 40s.
Police are investigating the circumstances and believe the sergeant attempted suicide.
- Who
- A 37-year-old sergeant in the traffic division of Kasukabe Police Station.
- What
- He took a police officer’s gun and shot himself in the head. He was taken to hospital unconscious and in critical condition.
- When
- Around 8:45 a.m. on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture.
- Why
- Police believe he attempted suicide. His motive is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The sergeant began taking leave.
A police officer called emergency services and reported that his son had been abducted.
They confirmed that no abduction had taken place and tried to protect the sergeant; he struggled, took an officer’s gun and shot himself.
- Age
- 37
- Rank
- Sergeant
- Police station
- Kasukabe Police Station
- Location
- Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture
- Emergency call
- Around 8:45 a.m.
- Leave began
- October 29
3 sources
What people are saying
My son was abducted on his way to school. Police officers should also head to the clean center.