Police killed one suspected gang member and arrested two others armed with assault rifles early yesterday morning, in a two-hour gun battle in Taichung.
Six police officers were also wounded in the gunfight, which which was televised live, after a tip-off to the media. One of the suspects was shot in the neck.
The battle took place when police raided the townhouse hideout of the three suspects, after being tipped off earlier in the morning about their whereabouts.
The two surviving suspects, Chen Chih-chiang (陳志強) and Lan Yuen-chang (藍元昌) have been charged in separate criminal cases.
They were cornered in a basement garage by more than 100 police officers, who burst into their hideout through a rooftop door after tossing in four or five stun grenades.
The suspects put up fierce resistance by shooting at the police in a desperate attempt to get away.
More than 100 shots were fired in the gun battle.
The third suspect, Huang Chuan-lin (黃泉霖), who was shot in the back several times, was admitted to hospital for emergency treatment, but a doctor later pronounced him dead.
Lan, whose elder brother is a policeman, was shot through the neck after being thrown from a car in which the suspects tried to make their escape.
"This was the most violent battle I have ever participated in," Yang Chun-chun (
Police confiscated six guns, including an AK-47 assault rifle and 580 rounds of ammunition.
A woman surnamed Yang (楊) who was living with the three in the townhouse was held for questioning before the raid. She provided a key to the apartment where the suspects were staying.
However, a delay in opening the door alerted the suspects inside and gave them time to prepare thier defenses.
Residents of the townhouse were woken at approximately 4am by the sound of explosions and gunfire. Many hid in terror while the battle below raged on and off for more two hours.
Later, after seeing the extensive damage in their basement garage -- including numerous bullet holes in their cars -- residents expressed their resentment at the police's action.
Police have already documented the damage and residents who suffered property damage will be able to apply for compensation.
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) lauded the police's performance in the arrest of the two suspects and sent Minister of the Interior Chang Po-ya (
Lan was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison in 1991 for blackmail, robbery and illegal possession of fire arms.
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