Yu Chia-chang, 57, faithfully messaged his mother every morning and called her each evening to confirm he was safe — a routine that tragically ended on the night of December 19.
That evening, Yu became one of three victims in a knife and smoke-bomb attack in central Taipei. A resident of Taoyuan working in the capital, Yu was fatally injured while attempting to stop the assailant. The 27-year-old suspect, Chang Wen, later died after jumping from a building. Authorities have preliminarily ruled out terrorism, believing Chang acted alone.
Yu’s mother, surnamed Huang, shared her grief publicly, recounting the last contact with her son. “That day, I kept waiting and waiting. He never came back, and he didn’t message me on Line. That’s when I got nervous,” she told Taiwan Television. Huang had initially been kept from hearing the full news of her son’s death to spare her overwhelming grief.
According to reports, Yu confronted the attacker at Taipei Main Station’s M7 exit, trying to block him as other commuters fled. Yu sustained severe back injuries and later died despite emergency medical care.
Huang described her son as a “righteous and helpful” individual, shaped by his father’s military influence. Despite her grief, she expressed pride in Yu’s courageous act.
In recognition of his heroism, Taiwan’s legislature’s Internal Administration Committee passed a motion to enshrine Yu at the Taoyuan Martyrs’ Shrine. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an also announced that the city government would posthumously commend Yu and assist his family in applying for a presidential commendation. The family is set to receive NT$5 million (US$158,800) in compensation.
Huang expressed hope and gratitude for the honours, saying, “If my son would be enshrined at the Martyrs’ Shrine, I would be very happy.”
