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Man dressed as Joker stabs, slashes, injures at least 17 people during Halloween attack on Tokyo subway before setting a fire
Photo by David Mareuil/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Man dressed as Joker stabs, slashes, injures at least 17 people during Halloween attack on Tokyo subway before setting a fire

A man dressed up in a Joker costume injured at least 17 people during a chaotic Tokyo subway knife attack on Sunday before setting a fire, Reuters reported.

What are the details?

Multiple outlets reported that the suspect, 24-year-old Kyota Hattori, was dressed as the Joker when he menaced Tokyo subway passengers during Halloween festivities.

The Associated Press reported that at least three people suffered serious injuries.

One witness said that he initially believed the incident was a "Halloween stunt" until he saw the suspect advancing on him while "slowly waving a long knife."

The news agency said that pandemonium ensued, with people scrambling to escape the subway, with some even jumping from windows in order to flee from the attacker.

The suspect, after stabbing and slashing passengers, poured liquid that "resembled oil" from a plastic bottle and set fire to subway seats, Reuters reported. Some social media users reported that the liquid, instead, was hydrochloric acid that was sprayed on passengers.

Another witness added, "Train doors were closed and we had no idea what was happening, and we jumped from the windows. It was horrifying."

Following the attack, Reuters reported that the suspect could be seen sitting in an empty train car with his legs crossed and smoking a cigarette.

Social media user News for All shared a clip of the suspect and wrote, "NEW: The alleged attacker in Japan, in a 'Joker' costume. Sitting and casually smoking after stabbing and spraying hydrochloric acid on passengers on a train in Tokyo, and then setting everything on fire."

Authorities soon arrived at the scene following the attack and were able to take the suspect into custody without incident.

He is being held on suspicion of attempted murder as authorities continue to investigate the incident.

According to reports, the suspect told authorities that he "wanted to kill people and get the death penalty."

Reuters reported that the attack took place on the Keio express line bound for Shinjuku, which is the world's busiest rail station, at around 8 p.m. local time.

Insider Paper shared video of the attack in its early stages on Twitter, captioning it, "BREAKING: At least 6 people injured, several jumped from windows after a man with knife set part of train on fire at Tokyo metro station in Chofu city."

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