Taipei police have preliminarily ruled out terrorism after a three-hour stabbing spree that killed three people and injured 11, beginning at Taipei Main Station and continuing near Zhongshan station. Authorities identified the suspect as 27-year-old Chang, who set off smoke bombs before attacking and was later found dead after jumping from a building. Investigators found online searches for “random killings” and material related to a 2014 metro attack on his iPad; police say he acted alone. The city has increased security for public events and temporarily closed a nearby Christmas market.
Taipei Metro Stabbing Preliminarily Ruled Not Terrorism After 3 Killed, 11 Injured
Taipei's mayor said police are expected to carry out drills at metro stations ahead of New Year's Eve (Akio WANG)(Akio WANG/AFP/AFP)
Taipei police on Sunday said the deadly stabbing spree that began at Taipei Main Station and continued near Zhongshan station has been preliminarily ruled out as an act of terrorism. The attack left three people dead and 11 wounded.
Authorities identified the attacker as a 27-year-old man with the family name Chang. Police say he set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station on Friday afternoon before embarking on a stabbing rampage that lasted roughly three hours and moved into a nearby shopping district near Zhongshan station.
“Based on what we have established so far in the investigation, the suspect Chang did not make or display any statements or views related to politics, religion, or any specific ideology, and we have preliminarily ruled out terrorism,” a senior Taipei City Police Department official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “Terrorist attacks have a specific definition and the suspect does not meet that definition.”
Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the suspect was found dead later the same day after jumping from a nearby building. Investigators also reported finding searches for “random killings” on Chang’s iPad and material linked to a 2014 Taipei metro stabbing in which four people were killed.
Police said Chang had previously served in the military but was discharged following an incident involving driving under the influence of alcohol, and that he was wanted for failing to report for required reserve training. Taiwan requires former soldiers to complete seven to 14 days of reserve training within eight years of discharge; failure to attend is treated as evasion of military service.
Authorities believe Chang acted alone and planned to “randomly kill people.” Investigators say he rented an apartment in the district in January and scouted the area in advance.
In response to the attack, the city doubled police deployment for the Taipei Marathon and plans to run a “high-intensity” security drill at metro stations ahead of New Year’s Eve. President Lai Ching-te urged officials to be “more cautious and proactive,” improve emergency protocols and ensure police are trained and equipped for counter-terrorism operations.
Metro Taipei announced it had closed a Christmas market near Zhongshan station on Saturday; the market will remain shut for three days in honour of the victims. Police said the investigation is ongoing as they continue to piece together the suspect’s motives and movements.
Help us improve.
