A 27-year-old suspect allegedly threw smoke grenades in Taipei Main Station and then proceeded to Zhongshan MRT Station in a random killing spree that resulted in the death of the suspect and two other civilians, and seven injured, including one in critical condition, as of press time last night.
The suspect, identified as a man surnamed Chang Wen (張文), allegedly began the attack at Taipei Main Station, the Taipei Fire Department said, adding that it received a report at 5:24pm that smoke grenades had been thrown in the station.
One man in his 50s was rushed to hospital after a cardiac arrest due to the grenade incident, but despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was later pronounced dead.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
Taipei Rapid Transit Corp (臺北大眾捷運) in a statement said smoke from the incident drifted onto station platforms, prompting trains to temporarily pass through without stopping.
Normal operations resumed after the smoke dissipated, it added.
The smoke grenades were thrown near Exit M7 of the station at about 5pm, it said, adding that the police and fire service were immediately notified.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
He later headed north to the area outside Eslite Spectrum Nanxi near MRT Zhongshan Station and stabbed multiple people on the first and fourth floors of the department store, primarily in the neck, Taipei police said.
Mackay Memorial Hospital last night said that they had treated a man who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but he later died, making him the second civilian fatality in the case.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) told reporters the suspect was a Taiwanese man born in 1998, who is believed to have jumped to his death while being pursued by police.
Photo courtesy of the police
Chang fell from the top of the Eslite department store in an apparent suicide attempt and later died of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
It is currently known that Chang had a criminal record.
He was scheduled to report for reserve military training on Nov. 25 last year, and an arrest warrant was issued on July 11 for violating the Punishment Act for Violation to Military Service System (妨害兵役治罪條例).
Photo: Reuters/ Ann Wang
Taipei prosecutors searched a place Chang rented in the city’s Zhongzheng District and found materials on making Molotov cocktails inside the residence.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) last night said he has instructed the National Police Agency to increase security at all national railway and bus stations, as well as at MRT stations and airports.
Chang was wearing what appeared to be body armor, a mask, and wielding a long knife, which he used to indiscriminately attack members of the public, Cho said, adding authorities will work through the night to determine his background and motivation.
Photo: CNA
President William Lai (賴清德) in a post on his Facebook page last night said the government will do its utmost to ensure public safety with heightened security measures.
A thorough investigation will be conducted in accordance with the law, and efforts made to swiftly clarify the facts of the attacks, he added.
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