Taiwan knife attack leaves three dead, multiple injured

Taiwanese authorities confirmed on Saturday that a series of planned knife and smoke-grenade attacks in Taipei left three people dead and 11 others injured. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Chang Wen, died after falling from a department store building following the assaults on Friday.

Authorities said the attacks began at around 3:40 p.m. local time, when Chang set fires at multiple locations, including roads, vehicles, and his residence. He then moved to Taipei Main metro station, where he threw smoke grenades near two exits and fatally stabbed one person.

After briefly returning to his hotel via an underground passage, Chang continued the assaults outside the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi department store, using more smoke grenades and a knife to fatally wound another individual. He also stabbed a third person on the fourth floor of the department store before jumping from the fifth floor, resulting in his own death.

Chang Jung-Hsin, director-general of the National Police Agency, said the suspect had carefully planned the attacks and had visited the sites in advance. Authorities emphasised that the smoke grenades used could be purchased online and confirmed that the assaults were carried out independently.

Investigators are still working to determine Chang’s motive. He had previously served in the military but was discharged for drunk driving and had been wanted since July for failing to report for service. Officials noted that he had not contacted his family in over two years and had long-standing interests in guns and weapons.

The attacks have shaken Taipei, a city where violent crime is rare, prompting authorities to increase security at crowded areas and major events, including the New Year’s Eve countdown, which typically draws large numbers of locals and tourists.

Copied