Taiwan police rule out 'terrorism' in metro stabbing

Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwan police on Sunday ruled out terrorism in a metro stabbing in the capital Taipei, where an attacker killed three and wounded 11...

Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwan police on Sunday ruled out "terrorism" in a metro stabbing in the capital Taipei, where an attacker killed three and wounded 11.

A 27-year-old man, identified by police by his family name Chang, set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station metro on Friday afternoon before launching into a three hour stabbing spree.

The attacker then moved to a shopping district near Zhongshan station, authorities said.

"Based on what we have established so far in the investigation, the suspect Chang did not make or display any statements or views related to politics, religion, or any specific ideology, and we have preliminarily ruled out terrorism," a senior Taipei City Police Department official told AFP, under the condition of anonymity.

"Terrorist attacks have a specific definition and the suspect does not meet that definition," he added.