Three dead, including two police officers, in mass stabbing and shooting in Japan

Three people, including two police officers, were killed Thursday in a rare mass shooting and stabbing in central Japan, and gunshots can still be heard around the scene, law enforcement said. 

Police responded Thursday afternoon to a call about a man stabbing a woman in Nakano City, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK.

The man used a gun that appeared similar to a hunting rifle to fire upon responding officers, officials said. The suspect then fled the scene to a nearby building, where he was still barricaded Thursday evening, officials said. 

Police confirmed that gunshots went off around the scene at 7:50 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. local time.

Nakano City residents are warned to stay inside over concerns about the danger the suspect poses to the public.

The deceased have been identified as two male police officers and one woman. Another woman was also injured, according to law enforcement.

Japan has incredibly strict gun laws and rarely sees more than 10 deaths from gun violence each year. However, the Asian country was shocked last year by the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.