Gunmen damage politicians' cars in Yunlin shootings

Gunshots rang out in at least two locations in Yunlin County yesterday in apparently election-related shootings. No casualties were reported.

Unidentified gunmen fired around 20 shots in front of Yunlin County Councilor Chen Ting-yi's (陳定壹) house in Mailiao Township at around 5am, damaging Chen's car and the windows of his house, police said.

Within 10 minutes, a second wave of gunshots rang out at the house of Wu Cheng-ching (吳振欽), a former mayor of Taihsi Township. Wu's car was damaged in the shooting, police said.

Both Chen and Wu are supporters and campaign planners of KMT legislator Hsu Shu-po (許舒博).

Police said the shootings appeared to be a warning from rival groups and the same gunmen may have been responsible.

Legislative and local government chief elections are scheduled for early December.

A third shooting incident was reported at the house of Chen Kuo-yi (陳國益), another county councilor, but he has denied the reports.

Chen Kuo-yi is the father of People First Party legislative candidate Chen Chien-sung (陳劍松) and is close to County Commissioner Chang Jung-wei (張榮味).

Yunlin County has long been known as a hotbed of criminal gangs.