A rare and deadly attack has shaken the Taiwanese capital, leaving at least three people dead and eleven others injured. The incident unfolded on Friday, 19 December 2025, when a man armed with a knife and smoke grenades launched an indiscriminate assault on commuters in central Taipei.
Chaos at the Metro and Shopping District
The assailant, identified by authorities as 27-year-old Chang Wen, began his rampage near the underground exit of the busy Taipei Main Station. He threw smoke grenades into the area, creating panic and confusion before moving north towards the popular Zhongshan shopping district. Local news footage showed the suspect, wearing a gas mask and black clothing, deploying the smoke devices.
His violent spree continued inside a nearby department store, where he attacked people on both the first and fourth floors. A 57-year-old man who bravely attempted to intervene at the metro station exit was fatally wounded. Medical reports from the National Taiwan University Hospital indicated his injury was a severe penetrating wound from a sharp object that reached from his right lung to his left atrium. Another victim attacked near the department store also died from their injuries.
Police Pursuit and Suspect's Death
During a police chase that followed the attacks, the suspect fell to his death from the sixth floor of the department store building, according to Taiwan's national news agency. Chang Wen was reportedly a known criminal with outstanding warrants, including one for violating mandatory military service laws.
In the aftermath, investigators searched his rental home in Taipei and a hotel room near Zhongshan where he had stayed for three nights. They recovered what were described as "lethal weapons" from both locations. Taiwan's Premier, Cho Jung-tai, stated the attack appeared to be a deliberate act, with the suspect "deliberately throwing smoke bombs and wielding a long knife to carry out indiscriminate attacks on the public."
Aftermath and Investigation
Of the eleven people injured in the horrifying incident, six remained in hospital following the attack, with two reported to be in intensive care. A survivor described being struck outside the department store, initially feeling a blow before realising the severity of her injury. She recounted turning to see "people lying on the ground and needing first aid because they were bleeding."
Police have cordoned off the scenes of the attacks as the investigation continues. Authorities have pledged to thoroughly examine the suspect's background and associations to determine his motives and whether any other factors were involved. The shocking event has raised serious concerns about public safety in one of Taipei's busiest districts during the rush hour period.
