Shinzo Abe, 67, Japan's former PM and a towering political figure, has been shot dead while campaigning 

Abe, the country's longest-serving leader, was shot twice as he gave a speech in the city of Nara at 11.30am 

Shocking video captures the moment of the attack, showing how oblivious security guards were caught unawares by the first shot - which missed - and tried to block the second fatal round with briefcases

Chilling photo also shows killer Tetsuya Yamagami calmly waiting behind Abe as he prepares to attack 

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT 

This is the shocking moment former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead - revealing how oblivious security guards tried to block bullets with their briefcases after realising too late that he was under attack.

Cameras trained on Abe as he gave a political stump speech in the city of Nara at 11.30am captured the moment the first shot was fired, missing the politician but producing a loud bang and a cloud of smoke. 

For what feels an eternity, but in reality is just a few seconds, Abe remains on his podium as bewildered guards - who were all looking at him as he spoke - turn around and finally grasp what is happening, just a moment too late.