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Taiwan police on Sunday ruled out “terrorism” in a metro stabbing in Taipei, where an attacker killed three and wounded 11.
A 27-year-old man, identified by police by his family name, Chang, set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station metro on Friday afternoon before launching into a three-hour stabbing spree.
The attacker then moved to a shopping district near Zhongshan station, authorities said.
Speaking to AFP under the condition of anonymity, a senior Taipei City Police Department official 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.
“Terrorist attacks have a specific definition, and the suspect does not meet that definition.”
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the suspect was found dead the same day, after jumping off a nearby building.
Police said investigators also found searches for “random killings” on Chang’s iPad, including content related to a 2014 Taipei metro stabbing that left four people dead.
Chang, a former soldier, was discharged for drunk driving and was also wanted for missing reserve military duties.
In the immediate aftermath of the Friday stabbing, officials called the attack “deliberate” but said the motive was not clear.
Police also stated that 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.
In response, the mayor said that the city has doubled its police deployment for the Taipei Marathon on Sunday and is expected to conduct a “high-intensity” drill at metro stations ahead of New Year’s Eve.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday that authorities should be more cautious and proactive and improve emergency protocols.
Metro Taipei announced that it had shut down a Christmas market near Zhongshan station on Saturday for three days in honour of the victims.
