Taiwanese authorities said Saturday that the man behind a deadly attack involving a smoke grenade and knife in central Taipei acted alone, as investigations continue into one of the island’s rare incidents of violent crime.
The attack on Friday evening left four people dead, including the suspect, and injured 11 others, two of whom remain in intensive care, according to Taiwan’s health ministry.
Police identified the suspect as Chang Wen, a 27-year-old man from the northern city of Taoyuan. He died after falling from a building during a police pursuit in a busy shopping district near Taipei’s main transit hubs.
National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsin told reporters that investigators had found no evidence suggesting the suspect had accomplices. “At this stage, we believe the suspect acted alone,” he said, adding that inquiries into the motive are ongoing.
Premier Cho Jung-tai said the suspect had been the subject of an arrest warrant and was wanted for allegedly evading Taiwan’s compulsory military service, though officials stressed that the attack was not linked to terrorism.
According to police, the incident began when Chang released smoke devices at Taipei Main Station, one of the city’s busiest transport centers. He then moved toward a nearby shopping mall connected to a subway station, attacking people along the route and inside the complex.
Emergency services responded quickly, but the densely populated area and evening crowds complicated the response. The suspect fled on foot before falling to his death during the chase, police said.
Violent crime is rare in Taiwan, and the incident prompted an immediate security response nationwide, particularly in the capital.
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Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said police patrols and security measures had been stepped up in commercial districts and other crowded public spaces. “We are upgrading security measures citywide,” Chiang told reporters. “This includes increasing police presence and ensuring officers are fully equipped.”
President Lai Ching-te, who visited some of the injured victims in hospital on Saturday morning, said the government would review its emergency response protocols.
In a post on Facebook, Lai said authorities would “learn the lessons from this incident” and ensure that rapid-response units can be deployed immediately during emergencies to protect public safety.
Investigators continue to examine the suspect’s background and actions in the lead-up to the attack, while officials say heightened security will remain in place in the coming days.