2007 Sasebo shooting

Masayoshi Magome (Born 1970) was a 37-year-old unemployed man who lived with his parents and had a history of mental illness. His family was Catholic but he did not attend church services regularly.^[5] He had a permit for three shotguns and an air gun. Local police allegedly received several past complaints from Magome's neighbors that he exhibited erratic and concerning behaviors, such as roaming the city while carrying his guns and appearing at their houses late at night asking to use their bathrooms.^{[9][10][permanent dead link]} The only measure that had been taken by the police in response to these complaints was an informal request for Magome to voluntarily hand over his guns, which he did not comply with.^[11]

Investigators claimed that Magome was acquainted with Kuramoto and Fujimoto, the two people killed, and often ate at Fujimoto's home.^[5] It was discovered that Magome had invited around five different people via telephone and email, including Fujimoto, for meeting at the gym at the time and date the shooting ultimately took place. Fujimoto was the only person invited who had shown up.^[8][12]

Witness testimony, including Kuramoto's boyfriend, who was present during the attack, claimed that she appeared to be the Magome's main target, as she was chased down by him and shot at close range. Kuramoto's boyfriend also claimed that Magome had been stalking her for some time.^[13] Investigators concluded that Fujimoto was shot for attempting to intervene, for which his family was paid ¥3.77 million (approximately US$35,330 at the time) by the Nagasaki Prefectural Police as compensation.^[14]

Due to his death, prosecutors dropped the case against Magome and ceased investigations in March 2008. His motive was presumed to be "despair over mounting debts," but they were unable to ascertain details.^[15]