Taipei City was shocked by a deliberate random killing incident by Zhang Wen at the end of last year. Zhang, along with a detective surnamed Huang, was recently accused of posting messages on the internet involving large-scale random killings and targeting specific individuals. After investigation by the Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined that the specific and explicit content of their public threats constituted offenses of threatening the public, leading to their prosecution and a request for the court to impose severe penalties.
On January 7, the Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office in Taiwan issued a press release stating that on December 20 and 22, 2025, they received information indicating that unidentified individuals and specific accounts on social media platforms like Threads and the messaging app LINE were posting comments involving threats of large-scale random killings, targeting specific individuals, and causing significant casualties. The specific and explicit language used in these threats had the potential to incite social panic and pose a serious threat to public safety.
Upon receiving the reports, the Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office took immediate action following instructions from the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office. They established a “Public Attack Prevention Response Team,” assigning prosecutors Huang Yuwen and Lin Fangyu to coordinate with units such as the Sanchong Branch of the New Taipei City Police Department, the Aviation Investigation Division of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, and the Second Branch of the Taichung City Police Department for swift investigation.
The Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office conducted arrests and searches in accordance with the law for Zhang and Huang, seizing relevant mobile phones for digital forensic analysis. They applied for the detention of Zhang and Huang at the Taichung District Court on December 21 and 23, 2025, respectively, and were approved by the court.
Following a comprehensive investigation involving witness testimonies, digital evidence examination reports, responses from social media platforms, and seized mobile phones, it was discovered that Zhang used a specific nickname account on social media to publicly describe plans for large-scale random killings, causing fear and unsettledness among the public.
Huang, on the other hand, was found to have repeatedly made public threats in police communication groups and on social media platforms, involving shooting specific individuals and urging violent acts. The seriousness and specificity of her content posed a significant threat. Based on the investigation findings, both Zhang and Huang were identified as suspects of offenses related to public threats under the Criminal Code and subsequently charged by the Taichung District Court.
At a time when a major random violence incident had just occurred and society was in a state of high anxiety with public safety trust in need of restoration, it is alarming that Zhang and Huang chose to express explicit threats and incitements to violence on the internet and social media platforms. Their actions created reasonable fears among the general public that further major attacks could happen and easily trigger imitation effects, causing substantial harm to social peace and public order.
Their behavior clearly crossed the boundaries of freedom of speech protected by the law and went beyond ordinary disturbances to public order. Their dangerous and antisocial nature significantly exceeded the norm, especially considering Huang’s position as a law enforcement officer, with a higher level of legal knowledge and societal trust than the average citizen. Her actions not only shook the image of public authority but also posed a huge threat to public safety. Taking into account their criminal motivations, behavioral patterns, societal impacts, and post-offense attitudes, it is necessary to uphold public safety, stabilize societal confidence, and demonstrate zero tolerance for such behaviors, thus the court is urged to impose severe penalties to uphold the rule of law.
The Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office reiterated that spreading threats, incitements, or imitations of violent crimes on the internet, social media, or communication platforms falls outside the realm of protected speech and can pose significant risks to societal safety. The office will continue to strengthen cross-agency immediate reporting and joint defense mechanisms. Any unlawful behavior that endangers public safety will be rigorously investigated and swiftly dealt with in accordance with the law, ensuring the preservation of social order and the protection of people’s lives and safety.