Japanese Police Hunt Suspect After Pepper Spray Incident at Tokyo Shopping Center Injures 19
A man sprayed an irritant substance believed to contain capsaicin at an ATM in Tokyo's Ginza Six shopping center on Monday, sending 19 people to hospitals with severe throat and respiratory irritation.
Japanese police are intensifying their search for a suspect following a chaotic incident at Ginza Six shopping complex in Tokyo on Monday, May 25, according to BBC reporting on May 26. A man sprayed an unknown substance at an ATM on the lower floor of the shopping center, causing at least 19 people to be hospitalized due to a strong odor. Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokespersons stated that the substance is believed to be an irritant spray likely containing capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, and authorities are actively pursuing the suspect for prosecution.
Witnesses near the scene reported experiencing severe throat pain and itchiness. One elderly woman in her 70s told media that she began feeling irritation and throat pain as she approached the ATM, saying "When I got to where the commotion was, it started. I thought maybe there was a small fire or something, and when I got close to the ATM my throat felt so irritated it was almost numb." Following the incident report, firefighters, emergency services, police, and ambulance personnel mobilized to the shopping complex to assist those affected.