Taipei Stabbing Attack 2024: What Happened and Why Situational Awareness Matters
On December 19, 2024, a stabbing attack in Taipei left three people dead and multiple others wounded. A 27-year-old man went on a calculated rampage through Taipei Main Station and the Eslite Spectrum mall in Zhongshan District (中山區) — one of the busiest shopping areas in Taiwan’s capital.
This article examines what happened, honors the hero who tried to stop it, and discusses what we can learn about situational awareness and self-defense.
What Happened: Timeline of the Taipei Attack
The attacker, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文), had been planning this for over a year and a half. He studied a previous Taipei metro attack from 2014, purchased equipment including smoke grenades, gas canisters, body armor, and a respirator. He scouted locations, mapped escape routes, and checked roof access points.
3:40 PM — The Attack Begins
Chang woke up in his rental room on Gongyan Road (公園路) in Zhongzheng District (中正區). He moved through the streets of Taipei, setting off smoke grenades and lighting scooters on fire. He set fire to his own rental room, then headed to his primary target: Taipei Main Station.
Taipei Main Station — Exit M7
Taipei Main Station is one of the busiest transportation hubs in the city. Dressed in black body armor and a gas mask, Chang threw smoke grenades near two metro exits. As confusion spread, he pulled out his knife and began stabbing random victims.
This is where 57-year-old Yu Chia-chang (余家昶) encountered him.
A Hero Steps Forward
Yu immediately tried to stop Chang. In doing so, he was stabbed in the chest and fatally wounded. His sacrifice gave others precious seconds to escape.
I’ve been reading social media responses where people ask, “Why didn’t anybody do anything?” Somebody did do something. He ended up being one of the people who died by Chang’s hand.
When the attack began at exit M7, Yu didn’t run. He didn’t freeze. He acted immediately. He tried to stop the attacker. He was fatally wounded for his courage. Yu Chia-chang died a hero.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) confirmed his family will receive 5 million NT dollars in compensation, but no amount of money can replace his loss. He was a father, a husband, and a friend who gave everything to protect strangers.
Through the Metro Tunnels
Taipei has an underground tunnel network connecting Taipei Station to Zhongshan Station (中山站) — a pedestrian walkway lined with shops that many locals use daily. Chang traveled through these tunnels to retrieve more supplies from a nearby hotel.
Eslite Spectrum Nanxi — Zhongshan District
The attacker’s next target was the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi (誠品生活南西) department store, a popular shopping destination in Zhongshan District. It was evening — prime shopping hours. Chang dropped more smoke grenades on the street, entered the mall, and continued his attack on the fourth floor.
The End
As police cornered him, Chang ran to the fifth floor and jumped, ending his own life. Total elapsed time from first fire to fatal jump: approximately one hour.
Three people lost their lives that day: two 37-year-old men and Yu Chia-chang, age 57.
Who Was Chang Wen (張文)?
Chang Wen was a 27-year-old man who had been preparing for this attack since April 2024. He purchased smoke grenades, gas canisters, respirators, and body armor online. He visited crime scenes beforehand, scouting roof access and escape routes.
Chang had previously served in the Taiwan military but was dismissed for drunk driving. By July 2025, he had an outstanding warrant for failing to report for mandatory military service.
His family described him as someone interested in guns and weapons since childhood. He hadn’t contacted his family for two years. Police found lethal weapons at both his home and hotel room.
The National Police Agency confirmed this was a lone wolf attack. He acted alone. Investigators could not determine any clear motive.
Remembering Yu Chia-chang (余家昶): The Man Who Kept His Word
Those who knew 57-year-old Yu all said the same thing: “He was your average good guy and a family man.”
After the attack, his friend Mr. Lin (林) traveled from Linkou (林口) in New Taipei to Taipei Main Station to lay flowers. The two had served mandatory military service together.
Mr. Lin recalled that 11 years earlier, after the 2014 Taipei Metro stabbing attack, Yu had said he would have tried to stop the attacker if he had been there.
On December 19, 2024, Yu kept that promise.
“You did act on what you said you’d do more than 10 years ago, but I still think you shouldn’t have been so rash. You need to consider your age — you’re no longer young. That said, we’re still immensely grateful. We’ll always remember your bravery in the depths of our hearts.”
Yu probably saved lives. By fighting with the attacker, he drew enough attention that Chang could no longer move freely through crowds attacking people at random. Unfortunately, Yu gave his life in this situation, but he probably saved many others.
Why This Hits Different in Taipei
I bring this up because this is big news here. Very unsettling. I was sent videos shortly after it happened. I actually rode past the area on my way home.
Something like this did happen in 2014, but these events are so far and few between. What people in the comments don’t understand is that because Taipei is such a peaceful place, it’s hard for people to turn on that fight-or-flight instinct quickly.
An act of violence like this is so far removed from daily life here. This is not a place with regular shootings. You don’t even have people walking around with firearms. People aren’t ready to fight over things like personal space, getting bumped into, stepping on shoes, or road rage. It’s just very different from the sense of alertness people have in North America.
You don’t have this level of anxiety about violence happening at any moment.
I’ve had conversations about my interest in martial arts where people ask, “Why would you ever need that? The police are here. When would you actually need to defend yourself?” Not that I am prepared for this. But the question itself shows how differently people think here.
Eyes Up: Why Situational Awareness Matters
You cannot prevent every threat, but you can significantly improve your odds of survival through situational awareness — the practice of observing your environment and identifying potential threats and potential escapes.
Practical Awareness Tips
- Put down your phone — When I look around and see others staring at screens, I don’t like how it looks. Easy targets.
- Don’t use both earbuds — A lot of victims in the 2014 subway attack were head-down on their phones and didn’t see an armed individual walking through the trains. It’s not like a firearm that makes a loud sound. Someone with a blade can hurt a lot of people before panic starts.
- Notice your surroundings — You don’t have to look for danger specifically. You could be looking for something beautiful. Just have your eyes up and open.
- Watch for discomfort — If people seem uncomfortable or are moving erratically, pay attention.
- Know your exits — When you enter any space, note where the exits are.
The Speed of Violence
Change comes very fast. Car accidents, injuries, danger — everything happens super fast. One moment everything is okay, the next people are getting hurt.
You cannot put your seatbelt on in the middle of an accident. The seatbelt has to be on from when things were safe.
What Martial Arts Actually Teaches You
I’ve done karate, boxing, Wing Chun (詠春), and quite a bit of Brazilian jiu-jitsu — all from the desire to be able to defend myself.
I think the useful part of training that applies to situations like this is:
- Being aware
- Controlling space
- Knowing where my back is
- Being ready to run away
When I was doing karate in university, I asked my instructor about knife attacks. His answer: “Knife versus no knife — you have very bad odds. You do not want to engage. Turn and run.”
Even though I’ve dedicated so much time to jiu-jitsu, rolling on the ground is NOT what I’d want to be doing if someone pulls a weapon. I want to create distance, give myself a chance to get away, and then sprint.
Why Train If You’re Just Going to Run?
Training matters because:
- Violence is unpredictable — It doesn’t follow a script. There’s nerves, concrete, obstacles, slippery floors, edges, tables, and people not moving the way you expect.
- Stress inoculation — Martial arts teach you to think under pressure.
- Peace of mind — Knowing you have some ability if there’s truly no other option.
I’ve heard people say, “I don’t need self-defense, I have my weapon.” But sometimes you won’t get a chance to draw it. You might be in another country where you can’t carry. Depending only on a tool isn’t practical.
Run, Hide, Fight — In That Order
- Run — If you can escape, escape. Get distance. This is priority one.
- Hide — If you can’t run, find cover and concealment.
- Fight — Only as a last resort, when you have no other option.
If You Must Fight
- Create distance first
- Use chairs, bags, anything as a barrier
- Focus on the weapon — Control their hand if possible
- Target vulnerable areas: eyes, throat, groin
- Use improvised weapons: chairs, keys, pens
- Make noise — shout “HELP” or “FIRE”
These things happen fast. You won’t be counting steps A, B, C. In a dire situation, focus on the weapon, the weapon, the weapon.
Basic First Aid for Stab Wounds
If someone is cut and you need to help:
- Control the bleeding — Apply direct pressure
- Do NOT remove embedded objects — This isn’t like the movies. Stabilize foreign objects, don’t pull them out
- Keep the victim calm
- Elevate the wounded area if possible
- Call for help immediately
A Word on Judging Bystanders
Chang Wen spent over a year planning an attack designed to take the lives of strangers. There were no warnings for his victims. No yelling. No chest-puffing that usually precedes violence. He just exploded in the middle of a crowded place.
In the videos, you see lots of people running. Lots of people were aware of the situation. The comments saying “why is nobody doing anything” frustrate me.
Everybody has this plan in their imagination of what they’d do in a violent situation. But when there’s a weapon in your face and the reality that your life could end at this moment — it’s not easy to give up your life to be a hero.
Each of us overestimates our own preparedness. The judgment after the fact doesn’t make sense to me.
The Bottom Line
Be aware. Be careful out there. Stay safe.
Taipei is still one of the safest places in the world. This was a very tragic situation.
To the three people who lost their lives — condolences to their families and friends. Very unfortunate.
Run. Hide. Fight. In that order. Eyes up.
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