Tokyo Police Launch Manhunt for Man Wanted in Brutal Hammer Attack on Teenagers
Authorities in Tokyo are searching for a 44-year-old man who is currently the subject of a public warrant after allegedly attacking two teenagers with a hammer and assaulting police officers before fleeing the scene.
The suspect, identified as Teruyuki Takabayashi, is wanted on suspicion of attempted murder following a violent encounter on the morning of April 29, 2026, in the Kamidaira district of Fussa. According to police reports, the incident occurred between 7:15 a.m. And 7:25 a.m. In the parking lot of a local yakiniku restaurant.
Investigators say Takabayashi approached a group of seven young people gathered in the lot and confronted them about the noise they were making. The situation escalated when Takabayashi allegedly used a hammer to strike two high school students. One 17-year-old boy sustained severe injuries, including multiple facial fractures and a fracture to the orbital floor of his left eye. A second teenager suffered a minor injury to his right shoulder.
The violence reportedly followed an attempt by Takabayashi’s mother, who lives with him, to persuade the group to disperse. When the youths did not comply, Takabayashi emerged from the residence to carry out the attack.
Following the assault, the suspect retreated into his home and barricaded himself inside while armed with a survival knife. As officers from the Fussa Police Station arrived, Takabayashi allegedly sprayed them with a liquid—described as similar to pesticide or tear gas—using a sprayer. This confrontation left at least five people injured, including three police officers.
Police breached the residence around noon on April 29, but discovered that Takabayashi had already escaped through a rear exit. During a subsequent search of the home in the early hours of April 30, officials seized the hammer and knife used during the incident.
The case highlights the dangerous potential for neighborhood noise disputes to escalate into extreme violence, underscoring the volatility of local conflicts.
The Metropolitan Police Department has released a description of the suspect to the public. Takabayashi is described as approximately 173 centimeters (about 5 feet 8 inches) tall with a buzzed haircut. At the time of his escape, he was wearing a grey sweatshirt and matching grey sweatpants and was carrying a handbag.
Police are urging anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact authorities immediately.
