A Year of Shadows: Unraveling the Taipei Attack

In a city known for its safety, a brutal attack unfolded, leaving three dead and eleven injured. The attacker, Chang Wen, used knives and grenades, striking at a metro station and nearby streets before meeting his end on the fifth floor of a department store.

A Calculated Plan

This was not spontaneous. Chang had been preparing for over a year:

• Purchased smoke grenades, gas canisters, and respirators
• Changed clothes and transportation methods during the attack
• Set fires to his apartment and nearby roads, damaging vehicles

A Man of Mystery

Taipei's police chief, Li Hsi-Ho, described Chang as cunning and meticulous. The motive remains unclear, but authorities know:

• Chang had been wanted since July for failing to report to military service
• He had previously served but was dismissed for drunken driving
• His family had not heard from him in over two years

Aftermath and Questions

Five victims remain hospitalized, with one in intensive care but stable after surgery. This event has shaken Taiwan, where violent crime is rare. Authorities have increased security in crowded areas and at large events.

The question remains: Why? Why did Chang plan this for so long? What drove him to such extreme actions? These are questions that may never be fully answered.