A suspected random slashing incident by a maniac occurred in Tainan City, Taiwan. At around 8 p.m. on the evening of the 3rd, a black-clad assailant wielded a 30-centimeter hunting knife at the crosswalk in front of the Jinhua Police Station, crazily stabbing passersby. Reports indicate that three people were injured and sent to hospital.
The fire department reported a total of three victims: a 42-year-old man with a stab wound to the abdomen and heavy bleeding, a 32-year-old woman stabbed in the back, and a 29-year-old man with about a 1.5-centimeter cut on his thumb. All were conscious when transported to the hospital and are currently under continued observation and treatment. The perpetrator was subdued at the scene after committing the crime, but also sustained injuries to his hand and was sent to the hospital for treatment.
Taiwanese media reports that the suspect, a foot massage therapist, was believed to have recently suffered a breakup. He reportedly began attacking a pair of random strangers he saw walking together while armed with a knife. The incident took place right at the crosswalk in front of the Jinhua Police Station of the Liufen Precinct. Bystanders captured the event on video. During the attack, the man brandished the knife and shouted loudly as frightened victims fled and rushed into the police station for help. One fell on the stairs but was still pursued and slashed by the assailant. Seeing this, officers rushed out and immediately subdued the suspect at the scene.
According to police, the suspect is a man working at a nearby foot massage and wellness center, and the weapon used was a foot massage knife from his workplace. He first slashed the male passerby’s abdomen, then stabbed the woman in the back. Preliminary investigations suggest that the man had been mentally unstable due to recent emotional issues. The motive behind the attack is still under active investigation.