In a shocking incident in Taiwan’s capital, a man went on a violent rampage with a knife and smoke grenade, targeting innocent bystanders. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of at least three individuals and left nine others wounded. The chaos culminated in the suspect jumping to his death from a department store building.
The assailant, identified as 27-year-old Chang Wen, initiated the violence by deploying a smoke grenade near the Taipei Main subway station, causing panic among pedestrians. He then proceeded to the Eslite department store in a bustling shopping district, where he stabbed multiple individuals on different floors, inflicting severe injuries, particularly targeting the neck area.
As a result of the attacks, three individuals lost their lives, and nine others were admitted to hospitals for treatment, with one person in critical condition. The authorities noted that one victim succumbed to cardiac arrest after being assaulted, while another suffered respiratory issues due to the smoke grenade.
Further investigations revealed that Chang Wen had failed to attend mandatory military training in November 2024, leading to his status as a wanted individual for non-compliance with military service regulations. His failure to update his residential information resulted in the non-receipt of military service notices, as reported by local news agencies.
This senseless act of violence has rattled the community and raised concerns about public safety in the city.