A wanted man was shot and killed by police early this morning after he tried to force his way through a traffic checkpoint and injured two officers, the Taipei City Police Department said.
The Daan Precinct said in a statement that the incident occurred at a traffic checkpoint on a ramp connecting Jianguo Expressway and Xinhai Road.
Police stopped a white sedan driven by a 36-year-old man surnamed Tsai (蔡) after an officer at the checkpoint, surnamed Cheng (鄭), determined that there was a notice to detain Tsai, the statement said.
Photo copied by Cheng Ching-i, Taipei Times
Tsai suddenly accelerated, dragging the officer who was holding onto the door of the vehicle, which had its window open, it said.
Video of the incident showed the vehicle, which had four officers around it, turn left toward a guardrail, then reverse in an apparent attempt to make a U-turn, before moving forward and hitting the guardrail.
Three officers drew their guns, ordering Tsai to stop, it said, adding that 12 shots were fired as he attempted to flee.
Tsai sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen and under one armpit, police said.
They called an ambulance, but he was pronounced dead at hospital, the statement said.
A second officer was also injured after being hit by the car as it reversed, it said.
The second officer and Cheng were hospitalized and were being evaluated, it said.
The case is being investigated, the precinct said.
The officers were doing their duty when Tsai tried to flee, it said, adding that their use of firearms was fully within the law.
Illegal drugs were found on Tsai and inside the car, it added.
Tsai’s mother arrived at the hospital after being notified by the police about her son's death.
She asked about how her son died, but did not comment on the actions of the officers.
She said she knew that her son did something wrong.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) expressed support for the police when he visited the two injured officers, praising them for “performing their duties faithfully and acting decisively.”
Chiang said he would ask the Taipei City Police Department to provide the officers involved with assistance, including medical treatment, counseling and legal assistance.
Taipei Police Department Commissioner Li Hsi-ho (李西河) said he supports police using firearms lawfully and would offer full assistance to the officers involved.
A senior police officer said an internal investigation would be conducted into the incident.
The officers involved would be required to submit a report, the source said, adding that the case would be transferred to prosecutors if it was deemed to be a case of negligently causing injury or death.
Additional reporting by Cheng Ching-i and Fion Khan
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