Photo/Illutration Ground Self-Defense Force members gather outside the Hino basic firing range in Gifu on June 14 after two officers were killed and another injured. (Kazuhiro Nagashima)

GIFU--A cadet accused of killing two fellow Ground Self-Defense Force members and injuring a third said he shot two of them because he felt “provoked” by their refusal to obey his orders, investigators said.

The 18-year-old suspect said he believed the two instructors, who were handing out ammunition to trainees at a shooting range here, were challenging him because they didn’t hold up their hands or get down on the ground on his command after he shot the first victim, the sources said.

Master Sgt. Yasuchika Kikumatsu, 52, and Sgt. Kosuke Yashiro, 25, were fatally shot during the live-firing drill at the GSDF’s Hino basic firing range on June 14. Sgt. Yusuke Hara, 25, suffered serious leg injuries.

The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Yashiro.

Gifu prefectural police and the GSDF’s military police are collecting evidence against the suspect over the shooting of Kikumatsu and Hara, who were in charge of ammunition.

The suspect said he fired a second shot at Kikumatsu, who was already slumped on the ground, because he was a large man and might have gotten up to prevent the suspect’s attempt to take away ammunition.

Investigators said an autopsy showed that Kikumatsu bled to death after the first shot hit him on the left side of the forehead and the second bullet entered his back and exited his chest.

Yashiro died of hemorrhagic shock after suffering a through-and-through gunshot wound from the side of his body.

Although the suspect has admitted to shooting the three, he denied trying to kill them.

Police believe the cadet had a clear intent to murder the three instructors, although a motive behind the rampage remains unclear.

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