Reuters
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A knife-wielding assailant rampaged through central Taipei on Friday, killing three people and injuring five others, before falling from a building and dying during a police chase, the prime minister announced.
Prime Minister Cho Jun-tai said the man set off a smoke bomb at Taipei’s main train station, then ran to a nearby subway station in the downtown area, attacking people along the way.
The deceased suspect, who had a criminal record and an outstanding warrant, had his home searched, Cho told reporters. Violent crime is extremely rare in Taiwan.
“We will investigate his background and related relationships to understand his motives and determine if there are other relevant factors,” he added, identifying the man only by his last name Chan.
Cho said that in addition to smoke grenades, the suspects were likely in possession of items such as petrol bombs that were believed to have been burned at the scene, and that they were also wearing items such as bulletproof vests and masks.
“He appears to have deliberately thrown smoke bombs and brandished a long knife in an indiscriminate attack on members of the public.”
