Shots fired at digital ministry, arrest made
The suspect wrote on Facebook before the incident that he hates the Democratic Progressive Party and news media are vilifying China
The Taipei Police Department yesterday arrested a 54-year-old man surnamed Chang (張) for allegedly firing three gunshots at the Ministry of Digital Affairs in Taipei.
No one was injured in the shooting.
The incident nonetheless caused a security scare as the building is only about 750m from the Presidential Office Building.
Based on surveillance camera footage and witness descriptions, Chang walked into the ministry through the main entrance carrying a backpack and a shotgun. A pistol was also found later.
When a security guard stopped him, Chang reportedly made comments critical of the government and fired a shot at a wall.
He fired a second shot at a and a third at an automatic door at the entrance, witnesses said.
Chang did not attempt to flee after firing, witnesses said.
When police officers arrived, Chang walked out of the building, dropped the gun and backpack, squatted and held his head in his hands as he was arrested, witnesses said.
A preliminary investigation found that Chang operates a bedand-breakfast near Cingjing Farm (清靜農場) in Nantou County’s Renai Township (仁愛).
Chang wrote on Facebook shortly before the incident that he is not affiliated with any political party, but he hated the Democratic Progressive Party “to the guts” for blocking imports of COVID-19 vaccines and favoring Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp (高端疫苗).
No judicial officials are investigating the corruption cases and scandals are piling up in this government, he wrote.
Some news media are turning into assassins of the ruling party, spreading rumors and telling people to hate China, he wrote.
“Why do we have to hate China? Americans have been sucking our blood, yet we are still busy currying favor with them,” he wrote. “And what has the ministry done for Taiwan? All it does is promote what this incompetent government has done and feel good about itself.”
Chang attributed Taiwan Power Co’s (台電) financial woes to the government’s green energy policy, adding that ordinary Taiwanese have to foot the bill.
Police recovered a shotgun and a pistol, as well as five shotgun shells and two pistol magazines.
Police officials said that an investigation has been launched into Chang’s political background and whether he had accomplices.
Chang told police officers that he purchased the guns via an online advertisement, a claim they said was being assessed.
Chang faces possible charges of contravening the Controlling Guns, Ammunition and Knives Act (槍砲彈藥刀械管制條例) and the Criminal Code, police said.