noun
Refers to a person who launches a physical attack or raid. Often used in news reports and formal contexts.
警察は襲撃者の身元を調べている。
The police are investigating the identity of the assailant.
襲撃者はナイフを持っていた。
The attacker was carrying a knife.
Compound of 襲撃 (しゅうげき, 'attack, raid') + 者 (しゃ, 'person'). The exact historical derivation is straightforward; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.