A Year of Shadows: Unraveling the Taipei Attack

In a city known for its safety, a shocking event unfolded. A man, later identified as Chang Wen, took the lives of three people and injured eleven more in a brutal attack. He used knives and grenades, striking at a metro station and nearby streets before meeting his end on the fifth floor of a department store. This wasn't a spontaneous act of violence. Chang had been preparing for over a year. He bought smoke grenades, gas canisters, and respirators. He changed clothes and transportation methods during the attack, adding to the chaos. He even set fires to his apartment and nearby roads, damaging vehicles in his path.Taipei's police chief, Li Hsi-Ho, described Chang as cunning. His planning was meticulous, and his actions were calculated. 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. Chang's family hadn't heard from him in over two years. This isolation adds another layer of mystery to his actions. Five victims remain hospitalized, with one in intensive care but stable after surgery. This event has shaken Taiwan, a place where violent crime is rare. Authorities have increased security in crowded areas and at large events. The question now is 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.