Taipei Knife Terrorist: How Evasion from Military Service Led to Tragedy.

According to ТСН: The police of Taiwan have restored the chronicle of a bloody knife attack that took place in Taipei. 27-year-old Chang Wen had premeditated this crime, which resulted in the deaths of three innocent people.

According to local law enforcement, the attacker acted alone. Investigators found no accomplices, but Chang's motives are already known: the man was wanted for evading compulsory military service and was trying to avoid arrest.

The Prime Minister of Taiwan confirmed that the main motive is considered to be Chang's reluctance to undergo compulsory military service. A warrant for his arrest was issued back in November when he failed to appear for a reservist meeting.

Chronology of Madness: Fire and 'Hideout' in a Hotel

Details released by the Associated Press indicate that the attack was carefully planned. It all started with a fire: before heading to a crowded center in the capital, Chang set his rented apartment on fire in Taoyuan.

After that, he continued his actions with terrifying calm:

• Arrived at the center of Taipei and carried out the first attack near the metro, using smoke grenades to create panic.
• Surveillance cameras captured that after the first attack he calmly walked through an underpass to the hotel where he had previously stayed. There he retrieved the weapon he had hidden.
• After that, he headed to the popular shopping center Eslite Spectrum Nanxi, where he continued attacking people.

The Hero Who Tried to Stop the Killer

Among the dead were not only random passersby but also a man who tried to save others. According to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, a 57-year-old man rushed at the attacker near the metro station, trying to disarm him. Unfortunately, he suffered a fatal knife wound.

In total, the attack claimed the lives of three civilians, while 11 others were injured, two of whom are in critical condition in intensive care.

The Finale of the Chase

The life of the attacker ended tragically. Police blocked him in a crowded shopping area. During his escape attempt, Chang fell from the roof of a building and died on the spot.

This incident was a shock for Taiwan, which has one of the lowest levels of violence in the world. In response, police increased security at all major shopping centers and transportation hubs in the capital. President Lai Ching-te, after visiting the injured in the hospital, promised to review the work of rapid response teams to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Note: The topic of conscription in Taiwan is extremely sensitive. Against the backdrop of the threat from China, the term of compulsory military service has recently been extended from 4 months to a year, causing tension among some youth.

Recall that in the summer in Munich, a woman attacked passersby with a knife. The attacker managed to injure two passersby before being shot by police.

This tragedy underscores the importance of caution and readiness for extreme situations. Such incidents can serve as a catalyst for tightening security measures and discussing sensitive issues, including conscription for military service in Taiwan, which helps the state maintain order and tranquility in society.