A suspect threw smoke grenades and attacked people indiscriminately
A man armed with a knife and smoke bombs killed at least three and injured nine others in Taiwan's capital Taipei, local media reported on Friday.
The suspect began throwing smoke bombs down one of the exits out of a metro station during evening rush hour, and randomly stabbed people with a knife.
One victim reportedly died from cardiac arrest while two others succumbed to their injuries.
The 27-year-old suspect jumped off a building while pursued by police and later died in hospital, according to the Taipei Times.
In videos circulating on social media, the attacker can be seen in what appears to be body armor and a mask, armed with a long knife and throwing smoke bombs out of a backpack.
A terrorist attack occurred in Taipei, Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/RqHHCJqxLU
— Real Taiwan news (@RealTaiwannews) December 19, 2025
The suspect had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest from earlier this year, after he neglected to update his residence registration and failed to receive his mandatory draft notice, United Daily News (UDN) wrote, citing data from the local District Prosecutor’s Office.
🇹🇼⚡️- BREAKING: A man threw smoke grenades and attacked civilians with a knife in Taipei, Taiwan, at the MRT Taipei Main Station and then the MRT Zhonghshan Station.
— Rerum Novarum // Intel, Breaking News, and Alerts (@officialrnintel) December 19, 2025
3 dead and 5 injured per local authorities.
The suspect is believed to have jumped to his death. pic.twitter.com/f7MnVDcAPL
The rampage reportedly began earlier that morning, when the suspect set fire to his residence and vehicles in the area, before heading to the metro station.
