Man in His 20s Throws Smoke Grenade, Launches Rampage
Four Dead, Eleven Injured Including the Suspect
Arson Committed Before the Attack
Suspect Dies After Jumping from Fifth Floor of Department Store
As the end of the year approaches, a smoke grenade attack and knife rampage occurred in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, sending shockwaves through local society.
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) and the Associated Press on December 20 (local time), the National Police Agency announced that four people, including the perpetrator, were killed and 11 others injured in incidents that took place around Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan Station the previous day. Authorities stated that they do not consider this incident an act of terrorism, but rather a premeditated crime.
The deceased include the perpetrator, Chang Yuan, 27. He indiscriminately attacked citizens inside a department store, and while being pursued by police, jumped from the fifth floor. He was transported to a hospital but later died. It was initially reported that he fell from the sixth floor, but this was later corrected to the fifth floor.
Following the incident, Taiwanese authorities have significantly strengthened security, especially in crowded areas and at large-scale event venues ahead of the year-end and New Year period. Security levels at major public facilities such as railways, roads, subways, and airports have also been raised across the board.
Police stated that no accomplices have been identified so far, and are focusing investigative efforts on determining the motive behind the crime. Chief Chang explained, "While the possibility of terrorism has been ruled out, it appears to have been a meticulously planned crime."
Investigations revealed that the perpetrator conducted a preliminary inspection of the crime scene on December 16, and on the day before the incident, inquired with the department store about how to access the rooftop. At the scene, police found 17 smoke grenades, 15 gasoline bottles, knives, and survival game equipment.
Police searched Chang Yuan’s rented apartment in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, the hotel where he stayed just before the crime, and his family home, seizing items used to make Molotov cocktails and various weapons.
Chang Yuan had previously worked in security-related jobs but was unemployed at the time of the incident. He was wanted for violating laws related to military service obstruction as of July this year. It was also confirmed that he was discharged from military service in 2022 due to alcohol-related issues and did not complete his remaining mandatory service.
The rampage began around 5 p.m. on December 19 at an underground exit near Taipei Main Station. Wearing a gas mask, he threw smoke grenades and attacked citizens. A man in his 50s went into cardiac arrest and was transported to the hospital, but died. He then moved through the underground passage to a hotel near Zhongshan Station, collected knives, and came back outside to attack a motorcyclist and pedestrians.
He subsequently stormed into the nearby Eslite Spectrum Nanxi Department Store, wielding knives on the first and fourth floors before being chased by police and jumping from the fifth floor. Earlier that same afternoon, he had set fires at three locations while riding a motorcycle, damaging several vehicles.
Local media pointed out that the damage was exacerbated because the perpetrator was able to move between multiple locations and continue his attacks for a relatively long period without immediate intervention.
Chief Chang Longxing of the National Police Agency stated, "We will further strengthen police forces to ensure the safety of citizens," and urged the public to refrain from copycat crimes. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te also ordered a thorough investigation into the perpetrator’s motives and financial background.
As videos of the bloody incident that took place in the heart of the city on a Friday afternoon spread on social media, anxiety and shock are rippling throughout Taiwanese society. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an stated, "Tragically, one citizen lost their life during the process of subduing the perpetrator," and promised that relevant agencies would provide support to the victims.
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