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Male Staffer for HKT48 Idol Group Treated After Being Stabbed

The official website for HKT48, a Fukuoka-based idol group tied to the AKB48 group, reported on Sunday that a male staff member for the group is being treated at a hospital for a non-life-threatening injury after being stabbed. The incident occurred earlier in the day at the Boss E•zo Fukuoka complex, which houses the idol group's 17Live HKT48 Gekijō theater.

The website added that the theater was not hosting public performances on Sunday, but all members who happened to be in the adjoining office took shelter safely. In light of the incident, the group has canceled the remaining "online handshake events" commemorating the release of its 19th single "Hansode Tenshi" (Short-Sleeved Angel, pictured left).

The group's staff is working to strengthen security in cooperation with the complex's staff. The group's staff also acknowledged reports that others beside the male staffer were injured.

Update: The Asahi Shimbun paper reported on Monday that police detained a man in his 30s for questioning on the incident. A knife apparently used in the stabbing was also discovered.

Just after 5:00 p.m. (3:00 a.m. EST) on Sunday, a 44-year-old male HKT48 staff member saw a male suspect in an area for authorized personnel only, next to an elevator near the parking lot on the first floor of Boss E•zo Fukuoka's Fukuoka Dome stadium. The staffer called out, "You're not allowed here," and the suspect allegedly responded by stabbing the staffer in the chest without saying a word.

A 27-year-old female company worker, who had come to Boss E•zo Fukuoka from Okayama Prefecture, was then stabbed in the back as she entered the complex. The paper reported that both injuries are not life-threatening.

Sources: HKT48's website, Oricon via Hachima Kikō