Taiwanese authorities have confirmed that the suspect behind a smoke bomb and knife attack in central Taipei acted alone, as investigations into the motive continue.
National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsin said verification work carried out since the incident found no evidence of accomplices. Premier Cho Jung-tai added that the suspect had been wanted under an arrest warrant for allegedly evading Taiwan’s compulsory military service.
The attack injured 11 people, with two currently in intensive care, according to the health ministry.
Police said the suspect, identified as Chang Wen, first released smoke bombs at Taipei’s main train station before moving to a nearby shopping mall connected to a subway station, where he attacked bystanders both inside the mall and along the route.
Violent crime is rare in Taiwan, and the incident has prompted heightened security across the island. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said police patrols have been intensified in busy commercial districts, with officers fully equipped and deployed to ensure public safety.
President Lai Ching-te, who visited injured victims in hospital on Saturday, said the government would draw lessons from the incident and strengthen emergency response measures.
“We will ensure rapid-response units can be mobilised immediately during emergencies to safeguard public safety,” he said in a Facebook post.
