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Taipei, Taiwan – A Friday evening attack in Taiwan’s capital left three people dead and nine injured after a 27-year-old man, identified as Chang Wen, unleashed a violent assault in a busy shopping district. The suspect later died after falling from a department store building.
According to local authorities, Chang Wen initiated his attack near the Taipei Main subway station, deploying a smoke grenade that sent pedestrians scattering. He then moved into a popular shopping area, where he proceeded to stab multiple individuals on the first and fourth floors of the Eslite department store, primarily targeting the neck.
The incident, which occurred during the city’s evening rush hour, sparked widespread panic, with social media videos showing people fleeing the scene. Local hospitals confirmed three fatalities and reported that nine others were hospitalized, one with serious injuries. Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai noted that one of the wounded suffered cardiac arrest after being attacked, and another sustained respiratory injuries from the smoke.
Following the attack, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced heightened security measures at all metro and railway stations, as well as airports. He also stated that authorities would investigate Chang Wen’s background and motives to determine if there were any contributing factors or connected individuals.
Reports indicate that Chang Wen was wanted for violating mandatory military service law, having failed to report for reserve military training in November 2024 and not reporting a change in household registration, which prevented the delivery of his summons.
This incident marks the most significant attack of its kind in Taipei since 2014, when a man killed four people on an underground train. The perpetrator of that attack was executed two years later.