Taiwan officials called the Dec 19 attack a “deliberate act” but said the motive was not immediately clear. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
TAIPEI (AFP): Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te pledged a full, public inquiry into a deadly metro stabbing attack as he visited victims in hospital on Saturday.
A 27-year-old suspect set off smoke bombs in Taipei's main metro station during rush hour on Friday evening before launching into a stabbing rampage, according to authorities.
He killed three people in an attack that spanned the main station, an underground shopping district and another metro stop, while at least 11 others were wounded, according to a revised count from the police on Saturday.
Police said the suspect, identified by his family name Chang, was wanted for being absent from reserve service. He had served in the military but was discharged over drunk driving.
The suspect died by jumping off a building to evade arrest, in an apparent suicide, Taipei's mayor said at a briefing.
Officials called the attack a "deliberate act" but said the motive was not immediately clear.
Louis, a 36-year-old finance worker, told AFP he saw the assailant at Zhongshan station, shortly after hearing about the first attack at the main station.
"I saw him walking to the middle of the road. I wondered why he was crouching in the middle of the road and then I saw him throw a smoke bomb," said Louis, who asked to be identified by his first name.
"When he threw it, I felt something was wrong, so I turned around and ran," added Louis, who was meeting a friend for dinner in the bustling shopping area when the attack occurred.
"There were a lot of people there at the time, and it was very chaotic. I still feel shaken."
President Lai offered sympathy and pledged transparency during hospital visits on Saturday.
"I want to express condolences to those who tragically lost their lives in last night's horrific, violent attack, and to extend my sympathy to their families," Lai said.
Lai said he had ordered a "full and thorough investigation" and would "give the public a full account of the truth".
At a police briefing later on Saturday, he said authorities should be "more cautious and proactive" and improve emergency protocols.
"Once a call or message is received, the rapid response force must arrive as quickly as possible and must be capable of stopping such attacks," he said.
Lai said the force must be "trained and equipped for counter-terrorism operations" to protect citizens.
Police chief Chang Jung-hsin said it appeared that the suspect had acted alone.
"He acted according to a plan, to randomly kill people. Regarding the motive, I think it still needs to continue to be understood and investigated."
Violent crime is rare in Taiwan. The last similar incident was in 2014, when a man killed four people in a stabbing spree in the metro.
Metro Taipei announced that it had shut down a Christmas market near Zhongshan station, the site of the second wave of attack.
The market will remain closed for three days from Saturday in honour of the victims. -- AFP
