A 62-year-old folk dance instructor in Daya District, Taichung City, is in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times this morning by a man involved in a suspected long-running dispute.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. at a basketball court on Longshan 2nd Street, where the instructor, surnamed Li, had arrived to teach her class. According to police, the attacker, a 35-year-old local man surnamed Zhang, had ongoing grievances with Li over the noise from her lessons.
During a confrontation outside the park, Zhang reportedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Li repeatedly, leaving her with eight injuries across her body, including a deep 10-centimeter cut to her neck. Despite the severity of her wounds, Li managed to escape barefoot and ran to a nearby factory to seek help. She was rushed to Chungching Hospital, where she is currently intubated and undergoing emergency surgery.
Following the attack, Zhang fled the scene on foot and later ran onto National Highway 1 northbound at kilometer 174.9 in Daya District. There, he was struck by a vehicle, resulting in fractures to both legs. Highway police responded to the scene, which caused significant traffic congestion on the northbound lanes. The suspect is receiving medical treatment, and authorities continue to investigate the case.
Former Taichung councilor Wu Hsien-sen described Li as a well-known community figure who has taught line dancing in the Sanhe area for nearly 30 years. He said the suspect had previously complained about Li’s classes and had repeatedly harassed her and other dancers in the neighborhood.
Li’s family expressed shock and concern over the incident. Her son told reporters, “We were panicked when we received the call that Mom had been stabbed. Her neck wound is very deep, and she is undergoing emergency surgery with a breathing tube. We hope she survives.”
Authorities have confirmed the case is under active investigation.
