A disturbing video of a knife attack in Taiwan has emerged, showing the assailant, identified as Chang Wen, carrying out a violent rampage in the streets of central Taipei. Dressed in black body armour and wearing a black cap, the man was initially seen walking calmly toward a train station, giving little indication of the chaos that was about to unfold.
According to the footage, Chang first stopped near a zebra crossing close to the station, where he suddenly bent down and began throwing smoke bombs into the area. The unexpected blasts caused confusion and fear among pedestrians in the busy vicinity of the train station, as smoke quickly spread and people struggled to understand what was happening.
Moments later, the situation escalated dramatically. Chang pulled out a knife and rushed toward a subway station located in a crowded shopping district. He began attacking people at random, triggering widespread panic. Terrified commuters and shoppers were seen fleeing the station entrances, while loud screams echoed through the area as people desperately tried to escape the unfolding violence.
The attack resulted in the deaths of three people, while more than five others sustained injuries of varying severity. The incident ended after a police chase, during which the attacker fell from a building and died, bringing the violent episode to a close.
In the aftermath, Taiwanese police launched searches at Chang’s residence as part of the investigation. Authorities revealed that the attacker had a prior criminal record and outstanding warrants, a detail that has shocked many in Taiwan, where such violent crimes are considered relatively rare.
Police officials said they are examining Chang’s background and personal connections in an effort to determine his motive and whether any other individuals or factors may have been involved. Investigators are also assessing whether the attack was planned or carried out spontaneously.
Law enforcement further disclosed that, in addition to the smoke grenades used during the attack, Chang possessed other dangerous items, including petrol bombs that appeared to have been partially burned at the scene. These findings suggest a deliberate intent to cause widespread harm.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai said preliminary assessments indicate that the attacker intentionally used smoke bombs to create confusion before wielding a long knife to launch indiscriminate attacks on members of the public, underscoring the calculated nature of the assault.
