Taipei attacker killed three, wounded 11 in knife and smoke-grenade assault, authorities say

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The suspect who killed three people and wounded 11 others in knife and smoke-grenade attacks in Taipei on Friday planned the assault and had earlier set fires at other locations, authorities said Saturday. The 27-year-old man identified as Chang Wen died after jumping from a department store building during the sequence of attacks, according to police.

Police said the rampage began around 3:40 p.m. local time, with fires set on roads and vehicles, and at the residence where the suspect was staying. He then moved on to the Taipei Main Station, where he tossed smoke grenades near two exits and used a knife to fatally wound a person. After fleeing into an underground passage back toward his hotel, he again released smoke grenades and killed another person outside the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi department store, officials said. A fourth fatality occurred on the fourth floor of the same department store before the suspect leaped to his death on the fifth floor.

The smoke grenades used by the assailant could be purchased online, and authorities said the suspect had visited the sites where the violence occurred before the attack. The initial investigation did not indicate that the suspect acted with others, though investigators were examining potential motives and any possible outside support. Chang Jung-Hsin, director-general of the National Police Agency, said the suspect acted according to a plan he had crafted, and no immediate links to organized groups were found.

The suspect had a murky military history: he had voluntarily served in the armed forces but was discharged for drunk driving and was wanted since July for failing to report for mandatory service. Police said the family had not heard from him in more than two years, and authorities noted relatives described him as someone who had long shown interest in guns and weapons. Investigators said they would review the suspect’s finances, social networks, and any potential assistance received from others as part of the broader probe.

Six people remained hospitalized, with two in intensive care units but reported as stable after surgeries. Following briefings from officials, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident, focusing on the suspect’s background, financial resources, and whether others aided the attack.

Security measures were heightened at crowded spots and large events, including what is traditionally a major New Year’s Eve countdown in Taipei, as authorities urged the public to remain vigilant while the investigation continues and more details emerge. The case marks a rare instance of lethal violence in Taiwan, prompting a nationwide review of safety protocols and emergency response coordination.