Taiwan knife attack year and a half in the planning

The suspect in a deadly stab and grenade attack that left three dead and 11 injured in Taiwan’s capital had meticulously planned the attack for more than a year, police said.

The attacker, identified as 27-year-old Chang Wen, indiscriminately stabbed passersby and threw smoke bombs at a Taipei subway station and on a street before entering a store on Friday. He died after falling from the fifth floor of the store while being chased by the police.

The attacks shocked Taiwan, where violent crime is rare, and prompted authorities to step up security at crowded spots and large events.

While carrying out the attack in multiple stages, Chang changed his clothing and mode of transportation several times, switching from scooter to bicycle to walking, police said. In the process, he set fire to his house and roads and damaged cars and motorcycles.

“He was extremely cunning,” Taipei police chief Li Hsi-Ho said at a news conference on Monday.

Li said the suspect had been preparing for the attack by purchasing smoke bombs, gas canisters, respirators and other tools since April 2024.

“He had been planning his crime for a year and a half, and the motive for the crime had started a year and a half ago,” Li said.

Authorities were still investigating the suspect’s motive, but said he had been wanted since July after failing to report for military service. He had previously volunteered in the army but was fired for drunk driving.

Authorities said he had not contacted his family in more than two years.

Authorities said five of the injured remained hospitalized, one of whom was in intensive care but was in stable condition after surgery.