Overview
- The overnight police briefing reported three male victims, ages 37 to 57, dead and 11 injured after sequential attacks spanning Taipei Station and the nearby Zhongshan district.
- The suspect, identified as Zhang, 27, began by throwing smoke or flare devices at Taipei Station, moved through underground passages, stabbed passersby near Zhongshan, entered a department store, and later died after falling from the building.
- Authorities said the assailant wore a gas mask and body armor, used knives and incendiary devices, and had set fires to a motorcycle and a rented residence before the assaults.
- Police disclosed that Zhang had been discharged from the military two years ago for drinking and was wanted since July for failing to answer a reservist training call-up, with evidence indicating months of planning but no manifesto-like grievances found on seized electronics.
- Taipei increased security at transit hubs, crowded districts, and large events, the premier ordered an intensive motive probe, and Japan’s de facto embassy reported no confirmed Japanese victims.