According to investigative sources, police believe Matsumi watched from nearby as the cyclist crashed. Police identified him after checking multiple security camera recordings from around the area. The roadway where the incident took place is a busy local street. Shortly after the crash, the driver of a passing light vehicle noticed the rope and stopped to untie it from the fence. A 56-year-old local told the Mainichi Shimbun, "Many locals rely on this place as a convenient shortcut, so the traffic volume is quite high. This act was malicious and cannot just be dismissed as a prank."