Chang Wen's parents kneel to apologize and say they are fully cooperating with the judicial investigation on December 23, 2025. Photo:Screenshot from a media platform in island of Taiwan

A man in island of Taiwan named Chang Wen carried out a random attack in Taipei on December 19, causing heavy casualties before falling to his death, with prosecutors and police conducting an autopsy on his body in Taipei on Tuesday. Chang's parents gave their first media interview, repeatedly apologizing and kneeling to express remorse to the public and the victims' families, according to media outlets in the island of Taiwan including CNA and United Daily News on Tuesday.

Chang's father said his son had committed catastrophic crime that caused serious harm to society and irreparable damage to the victims' families, adding that he wanted to apologize to everyone. 

The couple then knelt to offer a public apology, with the father saying they would fully cooperate with the judicial investigation, while Chang's mother remained silent throughout the appearance, media reports said.

When asked by reporters about Chang's recent life and personal circumstances, both parents declined to respond and left the scene shortly afterward by car.

According to Taiwan media reports, a horrifying random killing spree took place on the night of December 19 at Taipei Station and in the nearby Zhongshan shopping district, leaving four people dead and 11 others injured. 

The 27-year-old suspect, identified as Chang WenChang, allegedly set fires at multiple locations before heading to Taipei Station, where he threw smoke bombs to create chaos, and then moved to Zhongshan Metro Station, where he stabbed several people.

As police closed in, Chang reportedly ran onto the rooftop of a building and later fell to his death. Prosecutors conducted an autopsy on Chang's body on the afternoon of Tuesday.

Global Times