Suspect in Japanese school rampage wants death penalty

Scenes in Osaka, Japan, on Friday after a man armed with a knife forced his way into a school and killed eight children

TOKYO, Japan -- The man suspected of killing eight children and wounding 21 others in a knife attack at an elementary school has asked authorities to put him to death for his crimes.

The 37-year-old suspect, who police said was a psychiatric patient and former employee of another school who lived in the area, told authorities he was on tranquilizers at the time of Friday's attack. He apparently had failed in several suicide attempts and told police he hoped to be executed.

Authorities said the man jumped over a balcony at the Ikeda Elementary School in the Osaka district around 10:20 a.m. (9:20 p.m. ET Thursday) during a break in classes and stabbed several people, including students and teachers. Police said he used a kitchen knife with a 6-inch blade.

Seven girls and one boy were killed. Most of the students were first- and second-graders at the private school.

VIDEO Pictures from the scene of the tragedy Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    AUDIO CNN's Marina Kamimura with the latest on dramatic events in Osaka 1 MB/1 min 33 sec AIFF or WAV sound   MESSAGE BOARD School safety

One teacher was in critical condition and underwent surgery at a hospital Friday afternoon.

The witnesses said the man entered four classrooms, stabbing people as he went in the rooms and the hallway.

"There was a shriek," an unidentified student told The Associated Press. "Then I heard a cry for help."

Other students described teachers and hallways spattered with blood.

He was subdued by two teachers and held until police arrived.

Police said they had not determined the man's motive.

The victims were taken to three hospitals, with several people in critical condition. Others were treated at the scene.

There were about 680 students in the school, which is part of a complex of an elementary, junior high and high school.

Worried parents rushed to the chaotic scene to find out if their children were safe. Dozens of ambulances and police cars covered the school grounds.

Authorities said such an attack was unprecedented in modern Japan, one of the world's safest countries.

"We are filled with anger over this unfortunate situation," Kaoru Nakatani, head of Osaka Education University, which operates the elementary school, told the AP.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed shock at the stabbings.

Atsuko Toyama, Japan's education minister, also reacted strongly to the attack: "This should never have happened and is most regrettable."

CNN Tokyo Bureau Chief Marina Kamimura contributed to this story.