Police subdue knife-wielding man after he injures himself at Taipei market

TAIWAN: A 43-year-old man was taken to hospital after allegedly waving knives and shouting at a market in Taipei, Taiwan, on Thursday morning (8 October), before injuring himself in the neck.

The incident happened at Xingde Market in Wenshan District at about 9.46am.

The man, surnamed Kao, was taken to hospital under police escort, according to Taiwan’s Police Broadcasting Service.

No other members of the public were injured.

Man allegedly took knives from home and market

According to United Daily News (UDN), Kao left his residence carrying a kitchen knife for reasons that remain unclear.

He allegedly waved the knife around and shouted loudly at the market before dropping it and taking another knife from a nearby vendor.

Kao continued carrying and waving the weapon before injuring himself in the neck.

He subsequently took refuge in the stairwell of a nearby residential building, UDN reported.

Police surround and restrain man

Officers from the Wenshan Second Precinct responded to reports of the incident and surrounded the area.

Police eventually seized the knife and restrained Kao before paramedics took him to hospital.

UDN reported that Kao sustained a neck injury that may have affected his trachea.

He reportedly lost consciousness at one point after suffering significant blood loss and remained in hospital for treatment.

Lai Media, citing the Wenshan Second Precinct, also reported that Kao had a previous history of self-harm.

The outlet published images showing the incident and officers restraining him.

Police investigate circumstances

The motive behind the incident remains unclear.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Kao’s actions and gathering evidence.

Authorities also planned to collect samples to determine whether drugs or medication may have been involved.

Police said they would take appropriate action in accordance with the law.