Japanese police successfully concluded an eight-hour standoff with a gunman at a post office in Tokyo, capturing the suspect while ensuring the safe release of two hostages. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, is believed to be related to an earlier shooting at a hospital in the area.

The gunman, identified as an 86-year-old resident of Toda, entered the post office in Warabi, located north of Tokyo, shortly after the hospital shooting. NHK television footage captured the moment when an elderly man was seated between two police officers in the backseat of a police car, en route to a local police station.

Authorities revealed that they apprehended the suspect after storming the post office building, approximately an hour after the second of the two postal staff members who had remained inside made a safe escape. Earlier reports from NHK indicated that the first hostage had also managed to leave the premises unharmed nearly two hours prior.

The motive behind the gunman’s actions remains unclear, and police are conducting a joint investigation into the hospital and post office attacks. Additionally, they are looking into a fire that broke out at a nearby building, believed to be the suspect’s apartment, around the same time as the shooting incident.

The successful resolution of the standoff was praised by local authorities, who commended the police for their efforts in ensuring the safety of the hostages and capturing the suspect without further harm. Further details regarding the ongoing investigation are awaited.