TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A knife-wielding man killed three people and injured five others Friday (Dec. 19) in a random attack across two Taipei metro stations before falling to his death from a department store, officials said. Authorities immediately deployed 200 police officers across the capital's transit system to enhance security following the evening rampage.
Chang Wen (張文), 27, an unemployed former security guard, threw smoke grenades and Molotov cocktails at Taipei Main Station's (台北車站) M7 exit at about 5:30 p.m., Lu Chun-hung (盧俊宏), chief of the Taipei City Criminal Investigation Division (台北市刑警大隊大隊長), said. He then walked to Zhongshan Station (中山站) and attacked people with a knife outside and inside Eslite Nanxi Store (誠品南西店). Chang fell from the department store's sixth floor and was pronounced dead at 7:42 p.m. at Cathay General Hospital (國泰醫院).
Yu (余), 57, attempted to stop Chang at Taipei Main Station. He died at 8:07 p.m. at National Taiwan University Hospital (台大醫院) from severe blood loss, Wu Yi-hui (吳毅暉), director of the hospital's Trauma Medicine Department (台大醫院創傷醫學部主任), said. He had been stabbed in the back, with the blade piercing his lung and heart. Yu's wife told Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) that her husband "was always someone who spoke up for justice and had a very strong sense of righteousness."
Hsiao (蕭), 37, died at 8:10 p.m. at Mackay Memorial Hospital (馬偕醫院). Wang (王), 37, died at 10:13 p.m. at Shin Kong Hospital (新光醫院) after hours of resuscitation that included blood transfusions and preparations for life support. Authorities have not specified where Hsiao and Wang were attacked near Zhongshan Station.
Five victims remained hospitalized as of 10:40 p.m., officials said. Liu (劉), 54, and Chiang (蔣), 23, were under observation in emergency departments at Mackay Memorial Hospital and Neihu Tri-Service General Hospital (內湖三總). Wang (汪), 32, was hospitalized at National Taiwan University Hospital. Huang (黃), 56, and Huang (黃), 49, both female, were hospitalized at Chung Hsing Hospital (中興醫院) and Songshan Tri-Service General Hospital (松山三總).
Police searched Chang's rental residence in Zhongzheng District (中正區), where he had lived since January, and seized materials for making Molotov cocktails, investigators said. Chang accidentally dropped a notebook during the attack; police recovered it for forensic analysis and are working to unlock his cellphone. Chang's motive remains under investigation.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Taiwan's head of government, said the government would conduct a complete investigation into what prompted the attack. Police are reviewing surveillance footage to reconstruct Chang's movements. Authorities have not disclosed whether Chang had a criminal record, a history of mental illness, or prior law enforcement interactions. His registered home address was in Taoyuan (桃園), but the reason for his move to Taipei in January remains unclear.
Mayor Chiang established the "1219 Taipei Emergency Security Response Task Force" (1219台北市緊急維安應變專小組) under his direct leadership at 9:20 p.m. He activated a "one case, one social worker" system to provide comprehensive support for victims and their families, including medical, psychological, and legal assistance. The Taipei Metro Police (捷運警察隊) deployed 200 officers — 70 from the metro police and 85 from the National Police Agency (警政署), Taiwan's top law enforcement body — to enhance security at stations, commercial districts and crowded areas.
Premier Cho, accompanied by Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) and National Police Agency Director-General Hsiao Huan-chang (蕭煥章), visited National Taiwan University Hospital at 9 p.m. to check on victims. Officials did not detail the prognosis of the five surviving victims. Authorities have not specified the exact timeline of Chang's walk from Taipei Main Station to Zhongshan Station. ◼
