A mass stabbing attack at transit stations in Taipei, Taiwan, left four people dead and 11 injured on Friday, December 19, 2025, after a suspect threw smoke grenades and attacked bystanders with a long knife during rush hour.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Chang Wen from Taoyuan in northern Taiwan, is among the dead after falling from a building during a police chase.
The violent rampage began at Taipei Main Station, where the suspect wore a mask and protective equipment while throwing smoke grenades from a wheeled suitcase. He then moved to nearby Zhongshan Station, where he continued the assault. One victim was killed while attempting to stop the attack inside Taipei Main Station, according to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an.
Video footage captured by bystanders showed the suspect in the middle of the road outside Zhongshan Station, pulling smoke grenades from a bag and throwing them toward crowds. He was seen running into a shopping mall, randomly slashing at people with a long knife.
The suspect had strapped at least one additional knife to his chest and threw five or six gasoline bombs or smoke grenades during the attack. Before reaching the train stations, he set fire to his residence and damaged vehicles in the area.
Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai described the incident as a deliberate attack, though the motive remained unknown as of late Friday night. The suspect had a prior criminal record and was wanted for obstructing military service in 2024 after failing to report for duty. He was a former air force volunteer who served near Songshan airport before being discharged in 2022.
Injuries among the victims included stab wounds and blunt forehead trauma, according to emergency responders.
President Lai Ching-te ordered heightened security nationwide following the attack. “There would be no leniency,” he said in a statement addressing the incident.
Security officials continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities are examining the suspect’s background to determine what may have motivated the violence. The investigation also focuses on how the suspect acquired the weapons and explosive devices used in the assault.
The Taipei Metro system, operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, serves approximately two million passengers daily across six lines spanning 131 kilometers.
Following the attack, metro authorities implemented enhanced security measures, including increased police presence at all stations and additional security screening at major transit hubs.
The incident marked the first fatal attack of this scale on Taipei’s metro system since a 2014 stabbing on a train that killed four people and injured 24 others. That previous attack led to significant security upgrades throughout the system, including the installation of thousands of surveillance cameras and emergency call buttons.
Taiwan’s mandatory military service system has faced challenges with compliance in recent years. In 2024, the government extended compulsory service from four months to one year for men born after 2005, responding to increased security concerns regarding China. Failure to report for military duty carries penalties including fines and potential imprisonment. Chang’s status as a military service dodger highlighted ongoing issues with the enforcement of conscription laws. The Ministry of National Defense reported approximately 1,200 cases of individuals failing to report for mandatory service in 2024. Authorities are investigating whether Chang’s outstanding military warrant and fear of prosecution may have contributed to his actions on December 19.
