A random attack incident that occurred in Taipei City on the 19th was confirmed by Taipei police to be the work of the same individual in both cases, with no accomplices involved.
According to a report by United Daily News, 27-year-old Zhang Wen first threw a gasoline bomb at Exit M8 of Taipei Main Station, then went on to commit the next offense at Zhongshan MRT Station, and finally proceeded to the rooftop of Eslite Nanjing West Store where he jumped to his death and was sent to the hospital. Online rumors questioned that the suspects in the Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan incidents had different body shapes and accessories, suggesting that they were different people or that accomplices were involved. However, Taipei police confirmed at a press conference on the morning of the 20th that both cases were committed by the same person, and also stated that there were no accomplices involved.
Taipei police said that a special task force was launched to investigate and found that the suspect, Zhang Wen, moved from his rented residence in Zhongzheng District to a hotel in Datong District on the 17th, staying for three days. Between the 17th and the 19th, Zhang Wen was either walking or riding a scooter. After reviewing all surveillance footage, it was discovered that he always acted alone. Additionally, after interviewing hotel employees, they found that Zhang Wen did not have any contact with other individuals.
The police stated that after digital forensics, it was found on the cloud that Zhang Wen’s actions were premeditated, and from his access permissions and editing records, it was confirmed that it was the same person. Currently, there is no evidence of accomplices.
Police said that Zhang Wen had previously served as a volunteer airman in 2021, but was discharged the following year due to drunk driving, therefore he was recognized as having a military background.
Police also said that after checking his Shopee purchase records, they found that the rolling suitcase and gasoline can used at the crime scene were both purchased online, and the smoke grenade was not military-grade – it could be bought online for around NT$800 to NT$900.
Zhang Wen Used a "Replica Military-Grade Metal Smoke Grenade"
According to a Liberty Times report, based on the investigation by the Taipei Police task force, Zhang Wen used a replica military-grade metal smoke grenade (M18 SMOKE GRENADE) during the crime, abbreviated as “SG replica smoke grenade,” which is mostly used in airsoft survival games. There are many online e-commerce platforms in Taiwan where these can be purchased; depending on the model, each grenade costs about NT$650 to NT$900.
The police indicated that the "SG replica smoke grenade" is based on the "US military-grade metal smoke grenade (M18 METAL SMOKE GRENADE)," mainly used to generate smoke to obscure vision or mark positions. Its contents are generally a chemical smoke agent filled into a metal cannister, and it is not designed to be directly lethal.