Police arrest after-school worker over firework burns to boy in Tsu, Mie
In short
Mie prefectural police arrested a 56-year-old after-school childcare support worker, Beppu (別府万博), on 19 October on suspicion of injury. He is accused of hitting a boy in his teens with a launched firework at an event on 18 July, causing burns that police said need two to three months to heal. He denies the charge.
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Tsu Minami police station of Mie prefectural police arrested Beppu (別府万博), a 56-year-old after-school childcare support worker living in Tsu, on 19 October on suspicion of injury. He is accused of hitting a boy in his teens with a launched firework at the facility where he works. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 10 , 11 ]
According to police, the incident happened at about 20:50 on 18 July on the grounds of an elementary school in Tsu. The after-school facility was holding an event, and about 25 children and several adults were present. Yomiuri reported that the children, parents and facility staff had gathered to play with fireworks. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
The boy suffered burns that police said need two to three months to heal. Most outlets report that the firework hit the back of his neck; Asahi, Mainichi and Yomiuri also report burns to a finger or fingers. He was hospitalised for four days, and Nippon TV said he was taken away by ambulance. Mainichi reported that he has since recovered. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
The boy's parent consulted police on 21 July. Asahi quoted the parent as saying a child had been burned by fireworks at an after-school event. Police have been investigating since then. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 ]
The suspect denies the allegation. Several outlets quote him as saying he does not know whether he caused the burns. Nippon TV reported that police suspect he deliberately pointed the firework at the child while knowing it could hit him, and said they are continuing the investigation. Other outlets said only that police are looking into the details. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
Why it matters
The case involves an employee of an after-school facility and a child who attended it. Police are still examining how the incident happened.
Key facts
- Tsu Minami police station of Mie prefectural police arrested Beppu (別府万博), 56, an after-school childcare support worker, on 19 October on suspicion of injury. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
- He is suspected of hitting the back of the neck of a boy in his teens with a launched firework at about 20:50 on 18 July, on the grounds of an elementary school in Tsu. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- Police said the burns will take two to three months to heal; the boy was hospitalised for four days. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- About 25 children and several adults were at the after-school facility's event. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 11 ]
- The boy's parent consulted police on 21 July. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 ]
- The suspect denies the allegation, saying he does not know whether he caused the burns. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Police arrested the 56-year-old support worker on 19 October on suspicion of injury over a firework that hit a boy at an after-school facility event in Tsu. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The suspect denies the allegation, saying he does not know whether he caused the burns. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The incident took place at about 20:50 on 18 July, and the boy's burns were put at two to three months. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The boy was hospitalised for four days. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 , 9 , 11 ]
- About 25 children took part in the event. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The boy's parent contacted police on 21 July. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 ]
Still unclear
- How the firework came to hit the boy. Police said they are investigating the details; the suspect says he does not know whether he caused the burns.
- Whether the suspect knowingly pointed the firework at the child. Only Nippon TV reported that police suspect he pointed it despite knowing it could hit a child; other outlets do not mention this.
- Which parts of the body were burned. Several outlets report the back of the neck only, while Asahi, Mainichi and Yomiuri also report burns to a finger or fingers.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 18 July, a launched firework allegedly hits the boy at an after-school facility event on a school's grounds in Tsu. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- On 19 October, TBS NEWS DIG publishes its report of the arrest. [ 1 ]
- Kyodo's report of the arrest is published by Tokyo Shimbun. [ 3 ]
- Asahi Shimbun publishes its report, citing the police announcement. [ 7 ]