TAIPEI — A meticulously orchestrated assault that claimed three lives and injured eleven individuals has sent shockwaves through Taiwan’s capital, revealing an alarming level of premeditation by the perpetrator. According to Taipei police authorities, 27-year-old Chang Wen spent over eighteen months planning the multi-phase attack that unfolded with chilling precision last Friday.
The assailant executed his plan with methodical brutality, indiscriminately stabbing pedestrians while deploying smoke grenades at a bustling metro station and surrounding streets. The rampage culminated in a dramatic pursuit through a department store, where Chang fell to his death from the fifth floor while evading law enforcement.
Police Chief Li Hsi-Ho described the perpetrator as ‘extremely cunning,’ detailing how Chang employed sophisticated evasion tactics including multiple clothing changes and transportation switches between scooters, bicycles, and foot travel. During his escape, the suspect set fires to his apartment, roadways, and various vehicles, creating additional chaos and destruction.
Investigative findings indicate Chang began acquiring specialized equipment including smoke grenades, gas canisters, and respirators as early as April 2024. Authorities confirmed the suspect had been wanted since July for military service evasion, despite previously serving voluntarily before being discharged for drunken driving offenses. The investigation continues into his precise motivations, though officials note he had severed all family contact for over two years.
Five victims remain hospitalized, with one in intensive care following surgery but reported in stable condition. The unprecedented violence has prompted immediate security enhancements at crowded venues and major events across Taiwan, where such brutal attacks remain exceptionally rare.
