In the Japanese city of Motosu, Gifu Prefecture, three people died after a brutal knife attack and arson at a Sunrise confectionery.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, with the attacker injuring those present with a knife, then dousing the two-story building with gasoline and setting it on fire.
Rescue teams found the bodies of the victims at the scene and in a hospital, and police are working on a version of premeditated murder and arson, reports jiji.com.
Local authorities are investigating the motives for the attack, which shocked the country with its unusual cruelty for the area.