A dispute over a dining table at a shopping centre in Taipei took a disturbing turn after two 56-year-old men got into a physical confrontation, with one of them allegedly using a pair of stainless-steel chopsticks to attack the other’s head.
The incident reportedly happened at the food court of Far Eastern Department Store at Taipei Dome in Taipei’s Xinyi District on Sunday (Aug 30) night. According to authorities, the argument began when the two men disagreed over the use of a seat.
The 56-year-old man, identified by his surname Luo, had reportedly found an available seat and left some personal belongings there before walking away to buy food. When he returned, he allegedly discovered that another 56-year-old man, surnamed Wang, had taken the seat.
Luo then approached Wang to question him, but the disagreement escalated into a physical altercation. During the confrontation, Wang allegedly grabbed a pair of chopsticks from the dining table and used them to attack Luo in the head, leaving him bleeding.
Police from the Xinyi Precinct said they received a report at around 8.43pm and immediately sent officers to the scene. Both men sustained minor abrasions and bruises and were taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities said the case is being investigated under alleged assault offences.
Footage and photographs of the confrontation later spread across social media, prompting strong reactions from members of the public. Some users described the alleged attack as extremely dangerous, particularly because the chopsticks were directed towards the victim’s head.
The incident also sparked online sleuthing, with netizens allegedly identifying Wang as the operator of a design company in Taipei’s Zhongshan District, where he reportedly holds the title of director.
Following the discovery, the company’s Google Maps listing was reportedly flooded with one-star reviews. Its rating was said to have plunged to around 1.3 stars within a day, while some users allegedly altered the company name to “X Chopsticks” in an apparent reference to the incident.
Online users also brought up an alleged previous record involving the company, claiming Wang had once faced additional charges for late payment of workers’ retirement contributions.
Comments left on the company’s listing included criticism of the alleged use of chopsticks as a weapon, with some users warning potential business partners to exercise caution.
While the dispute reportedly began over something as ordinary as a food court seat, the situation quickly escalated into violence and left both men requiring medical treatment. Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the altercation.
