Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rushed to hospital after apparent shooting: Japanese media

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was rushed to a hospital bleeding after collapsing while giving a speech on a street in Nara in western Japan Friday, Japanese media reported. 

Abe was unconscious and appeared to be in cardiac arrest, according to Japanese media outlet Kyodo News. 

He appeared to have no vital signs, local fire officials said, NHK reported. 

At the time Abe collapsed, a sound like a gunshot was heard, NHK reported.

He was making a campaign speech ahead of Sunday’s election for the parliament’s upper house.

A male suspect was detained at the scene and a gun was confiscated, according to NHK.

Some of the candidates have reportedly canceled street speeches after reports of the shooting, Kyodo News reported. 

This is a breaking story. The Associated Press contributed to this report.