Taiwanese police on Sunday ruled out “terrorism” in the deadly metro stabbing incident that killed and wounded at least 11. The attacker was identified as a 27-year-old man, named Chang.
A metro stabbing incident was encountered in Taipei, where an attacker killed and wounded at least 11 on Friday. Taiwanese police on Sunday ruled out “terrorism” in the deadly attack.
The attacker was identified as a 27-year-old man, named Chang, set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station metro on Friday afternoon before launching into a three hour stabbing spree.
The attacker after the incident moved on to a shopping district near Zhongshan station, authorities said.
“Based on what we have established so far in the investigation, the suspect Chang did not make or display any statements or views related to politics, religion, or any specific ideology, and we have preliminarily ruled out terrorism,” a senior Taipei City Police Department official told AFP, under the condition of anonymity.
“Terrorist attacks have a specific definition and the suspect does not meet that definition,” the official added.
The suspect was found dead on the same day, after jumping from a nearby building, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said.
The senior police official said investigators also found searches for “random killings” on Chang’s iPad, including material related to a Taipei metro stabbing in 2014 when a man killed four people.
It was found that the attacker had served in the military but was later discharged after being found of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police officials.
After the attack, officials called the incident as ‘deliberately done’ and later emphasised that the motive of the attack was unknown.
Police said they believe Chang had acted alone and planned to “randomly kill people”. He rented an apartment in the district in January and scouted the area in advance.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday advised the authorities to be more vigilant and more cautious to prevent such deadly attacks.
Lai said the police must be “trained and equipped for counter-terrorism operations” to protect citizens.
Metro Taipei announced that it had shut down a Christmas market near Zhongshan station on Saturday, which will remain closed for three days in honour of the victims.
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