Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
The suspect in a deadly knife and grenade attack in Taiwan’s capital carefully planned the attack for more than a year, police said on Monday.
The attacker, identified as Chang Wen, 27, carried out the indiscriminate stabbing and lobbing of smoke grenades at pedestrians on Friday. taipei At the metro station and across the street before going to the department store. He died after falling from the fifth floor of the store while being pursued by police.
The attacks shocked Taiwan, where violent crime is rare, forcing authorities to step up security at crowded places and large events.
While carrying out the attack in several stages, Chang changed his clothing and methods of transportation several times, switching from scooter to bike and walking, police said. In the process, he set fire to his apartment, roads and damaged cars and motorcycles.
“He was extremely clever,” Taipei police chief Lee Hsi-ho said during a news conference on Monday.
Lee said the suspect had been preparing for the attack since April 2024 by purchasing smoke grenades, gas canisters, respirators and other equipment.
“He had been planning the crime for one and a half years, and his motive for the crime also began a year and a half ago,” Lee said.
Authorities were still investigating his motive, but said the suspect had been wanted since July after failing to report for military service. He had previously voluntarily served in the army but was fired for drunk driving.
Authorities said he had not contacted his family for more than two years.
Five injured people remain in hospital and one of them is in intensive care but is in stable condition after surgery, officials said.
,
Reported from Mistreanu Beijing,