People across Japan are coming to terms with the shocking death of one of the nation's most influential modern leaders.

      Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo was shot and killed at a Friday campaign event. His alleged attacker was arrested at the scene.

      A doctor who treated Abe said a team of more than twenty spent four hours fighting to save him.

     The attack happened in the city of Nara, in western Japan. Abe had been touring the country to support Liberal Democratic Party candidates running in this weekend's Upper House election.

     Shortly before noon, he began a campaign speech, and then two shots rang out.

     In the minutes that followed, Abe collapsed and security tackled a male suspect.

     Sources within the investigation told NHK that police retrieved a gun at the scene that appeared to be homemade.

     Police are holding Yamagami Tetsuya in relation to the killing. The 41-year-old suspect lives in Nara City. Defense Ministry sources confirm he served with the Maritime Self-Defense Force for three years.

     Nara police told a news conference that the suspect admitted shooting Abe.

     He told investigators he had a grudge against a certain organization, and believed Abe had a connection with the group.

     Police also said when investigators searched the man's apartment they found several homemade guns. They said they'll review the security arrangements for the former prime minister.