Shooting reported at Saitama hospital, with suspect on the run

An apparent shooting was reported at a hospital in Saitama Prefecture on Tuesday afternoon, with two said to be injured and the suspect on the run, media reports said.

Police said someone reported a gun being fired at Toda Chuo General Hospital in the city of Toda at around 1 p.m. Authorities are investigating details surrounding the incident, NHK reported.

Several employees at the hospital said they heard a sound, with an employee from the general division saying it sounded like a shot was fired from outside toward the hospital building, according to the broadcaster.

The local fire department received a request from the hospital to stop transporting patients in need of medical attention at around 1:50 p.m.