Taiwan President vows full inquiry into deadly subway attack
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Taiwan officials called the Dec 19 attack a “deliberate act” but said the motive was not immediately clear.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TAIPEI – Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te pledged a full, public inquiry as he visited victims in hospital on Dec 20 after a deadly metro stabbing attack
A 27-year-old suspect set off smoke bombs in Taipei’s main subway station during the rush hour on the evening of Dec 19 before launching into a stabbing rampage, according to the authorities.
He killed three people in an attack that spanned the main station, an underground shopping district and another subway stop, while at least 11 others were wounded, according to a revised count from the police on Dec 20.
Police said the suspect, identified by his family name Chang, was wanted for being absent from reserve service. He had served in the military but was discharged over drink-driving.
The suspect died by jumping off a building to evade arrest, in an apparent suicide, Taipei’s mayor said at a briefing.
Officials called it a “deliberate act” but said the motive was not immediately clear.
Mr Louis, a 36-year-old finance worker, told AFP he saw the assailant at Zhongshan station, shortly after hearing about the first attack at the main station.
“I saw him walking to the middle of the road. I wondered why he was crouching in the middle of the road, and then I saw him throw a smoke bomb,” said Mr Louis, who asked to be identified by his first name.
“When he threw it, I felt something was wrong, so I turned around and ran,” added Mr Louis, who was meeting a friend for dinner in the bustling shopping area when the attack occurred.
“There were a lot of people there at the time, and it was very chaotic. I still feel shaken.”
Mr Lai offered sympathy and pledged transparency during hospital visits on Dec 20.
“I want to express condolences to those who tragically lost their lives in last night’s horrific, violent attack, and to extend my sympathy to their families,” Mr Lai said.
He said he had ordered a “full and thorough investigation” and would “give the public a full account of truth”.
At a police briefing later on Dec 20, he said the authorities should be “more cautious and proactive”, and improve emergency protocols.
“Once a call or message is received, the rapid response force must arrive as quickly as possible and must be capable of stopping such attacks,” he said.
Mr Lai said the force must be “trained and equipped for counter-terrorism operations” to protect citizens.
Police chief Chang Jung-hsin said it appeared that the suspect had acted alone.
“He acted according to a plan, to randomly kill people. Regarding the motive, I think it still needs to continue to be understood and investigated.”
Violent crime is rare in Taiwan. The last time a similar incident occurred was in 2014, when a man killed four people in a stabbing spree in the metro.
Metro Taipei announced that it had shut down a Christmas market near Zhongshan station, the site of the second wave of attack.
The market will remain closed for three days from Dec 20 in honour of the victims. AFP
