Police quickly cordoned off the scene following the attack in central Taipei. (AP Photo: Chiang Ying-ying)
In short:
Investigators say the man suspected of attacking innocent bystanders in Taipei had planned the assault for more than a year.
Chang Wen purchased weapons including grenades and gas canisters in the year leading up to Friday's attack.
What's next?
Police are still probing Wen's motives.
The man behind a deadly knife and grenade attack that left three dead and 11 injured in Taiwan's capital meticulously planned the assault for more than a year, according to investigators.
The attacker, identified as 27-year-old Chang Wen, indiscriminately stabbed passers-by and launched smoke grenades at a Taipei metro station and on the street before running into a department store.
He fell to his death from the fifth floor of the store while being pursued by police.
The attack on Friday shocked Taiwan, where violent crime is rare.
Authorities have stepped up security at crowded spots and large events since the incident.
As he carried out the attack in multiple phases, Chang changed his clothing and modes of transportation several times, going from a scooter to a bike to walking, police said.
In the process, he set fire to his apartment, to roads and caused damage to cars and motorbikes.
"He was extremely cunning," Li Hsi-Ho, chief of Taipei's police, said during a news conference on Monday.
Mr Li said Chang had been preparing the assault since April 2024 by buying smoke grenades, gas canisters, respirators and other tools.
"He had been planning the crime for a year and a half and his motive for the crime also began a year and a half ago," Mr Li said.
Authorities were still investigating his motive but said the suspect had been wanted since July after failing to report for military service. He had previously served voluntarily in the military but had been fired for drink driving.
He had not contacted his family for more than two years, authorities said.
Five injured people remained in the hospital after the attack and one of them was in intensive care but in a stable condition after surgery, authorities said.