Stabbing

The alleged assailant was said to have stabbed a woman, before firing a hunting rifle to kill two policemen in the city of Nakano, Nagano prefecture. A fourth death was later confirmed.

BBC reports the suspect is the son of the city assembly's speaker, local media say.

Gun violence remains extremely rare in Japan, despite the killing of ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July last year.

The World Cup winning Wallabies great came through a prolonged period of surgery, and the hope is that he, his wife, and two adult children, who all suffered injuries during the attack at their home in Brisbane, will make a full recovery.

But in the mean time the TRU's Chief Executive, Peter Harding, is working on his options for Tonga's forthcoming trip to the northern hemisphere, which is just a couple of months away.

Tonga’s 47-year-old head coach, who played 60 Tests for the Wallabies and was part of their 1999 World Cup win, was rushed to hospital with his wife and two of his children earlier this week.

The trio were reported to be injured when confronting three intruders at their Brisbane home in what local police later described as a bungled burglary attempt.

Police allege the trio were armed with knives, a machete and an axe, all of which were used during the attack.

The 47-year-old former back rower — who played 60 Tests for Australia and now coaches Tonga — is in a serious condition after reportedly being stabbed in the stomach during a home invasion in Brisbane overnight.

The news was met with shock, sadness and anger from all over the world as many took to social media to send well-wishes.

Kefu played 60 times for the Wallabies, including winning the World Cup in 1999 and scoring a matchwinning and Bledisloe Cup-winning try in 2001.

Three members of Kefu's family were also injured in the attack and all four were rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Channel 7 reports that Kefu was stabbed in the stomach after the family confronted the men and a brawl erupted.

Kefu sustained an abdominal wound, while a man in his 20s, suffered lacerations to his abdomen and back, a woman in her 40s received an arm injury and a teenage girl sustained a hand injury.

It's understood Kefu's wife, son and daughter were injured.

They have been charged with a range of charges including murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault and disorderly behaviour.

The first of those charged will appear in the Blenheim District Court today, Police said in a statement.

The scenes are no longer cordoned off but Police will continue to have an active presence in the area as they continue their investigation into the incident.

The house in Monsey, north of New York City, was hosting a religious celebration when the attacker burst in, according to the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC).

The suspect fled but was later taken into custody, police said. The motive was not immediately clear.

One of the victims was stabbed at least six times, OJPAC said in a tweet.

The attack came a day after New York city police said officers were stepping up patrols in heavily Jewish districts following a spate of anti-Semitic threats and attacks.

A second woman was found dead inside an apartment building on the same street.

"All the information we have at hand would link these two crimes," police commissioner Mick Fuller said at a press conference.

He said the suspect was a "lone actor" with a history of mental health issues.

He was known to police but "his history was unremarkable compared to the gravity of the crimes he committed", Mr Fuller said.

The police commissioner said the suspect had some ideologies related to terrorism, but had no apparent links to other terrorist organisations.

At least 16 people have been injured in the mass attack and at least two people are reportedly dead. Police have confirmed one girl has died.

The suspect reportedly stabbed himself in the neck and was later detained. He has now died from his injuries.

The motive for the attack is unknown.

Police responding to the violent incident recovered two knives, said NHK.

At approximately 10:13 p.m. Friday, Sione Vaitai, 26, was engaged in a dispute with family members at Mount View Drive in Sandy, Sandy police said.

During the dispute, Vaitai obtained a large knife and assaulted his father and juvenile sister, police said.

Local media report officers responded to the home but Vaitai had already fled the scene. The two victims were transported to local hospitals in critical condition.

Police have not been able to locate Vaitai, who is described as a male Polynesian, 6-feet tall and 300 pounds with dark hair.