27-Year-Old Chang Wen Likely Premeditated Stabbing Spree, Kills At Least 3 and Wounds 11 at Taipei Metro

On Dec. 19 in central Taipei, a 27-year-old man identified as Chang (or Chang Wen in some reports) carried out a planned stabbing spree that targeted commuters around Taipei Main Station and nearby subway and shopping areas, leaving multiple people dead and others wounded.

“Taiwan has increased security at major transport hubs and other key sites while officials investigate and work to clarify the situation, with details still unclear”

Al Jazeera

Authorities say the suspect moved between sites, used smoke-emitting devices, and attacked people with edged weapons before he fell from a building and died.

Al Jazeera

Police have described the incident as likely premeditated after finding evidence the attacker had scouted locations in advance.

Officials continue to investigate motives and possible accomplices while cordoning off scenes and boosting security in crowded areas.

Reports describe the attacker using a mix of smoke or gasoline canisters, smoke grenades and a long knife while appearing to wear a gas mask and body armour.

Police recovered smoke grenades and devices resembling petrol bombs, and witnesses described people lying on the ground bleeding as chaos unfolded.

Al-Jazeera Net

Several sources say the assailant practiced or prepared locations in advance and bought devices online.

They also say he set fires to roads, vehicles and his own home before the stabbings.

After the assaults the suspect fell from a building during or after a police pursuit and was declared dead.

Taiwan's President, reported by The Korea Times, ordered a thorough probe into the suspect's background, motives and finances.

“A man attacked crowds with knives and smoke grenades in Taipei on the evening of Dec”

Associated Press

Premier Cho, reported by Al Jazeera and the Straits Times, highlighted the suspect's prior record and outstanding warrants and vowed no leniency in pursuing justice.

Officials increased security at transport hubs and New Year's Eve events, cordoned off scenes, and prosecutors noted legal issues such as failure to report for reserve military training in some accounts.

Reports diverge markedly on casualty numbers and some specifics.

Several outlets report three civilians killed and varying injury totals (Hindustan Times: "At least three people were killed and 11 others injured"; The Korea Times: "three people dead and at least 11 injured").

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

CNA and 매일경제 explicitly count four dead, including the attacker (CNA: "Four people were killed — including the attacker").

Some Western mainstream reports cited by AP give slightly lower or less certain early counts (AP: "at least two dead" and "multiple people injured") and list six hospitalized with two in intensive care.

These differences reflect evolving information in the immediate aftermath and variations in whether the attacker is included in death totals.

Western mainstream outlets (Associated Press, Sydney Morning Herald) emphasize procedural investigation details, hospital impacts and recovered weapons, using measured, factual language.

“An attacker later died after falling from a building”

BBC

West Asian outlet Al Jazeera highlights official rebukes and draws historic comparisons to the 2014 Taipei metro stabbing, giving coverage a more political and historical frame.

BBC

Regional Asian outlets (Hindustan Times, The Korea Times, Straits Times) stress premeditation, public‑safety warnings and the search for motive and background details.

These tonal and framing differences influence what readers take away — immediate procedural facts versus historical resonance or security implications.

No single account yet provides a complete picture as authorities continue probing.