Suspect shot after armed confrontation with police in elementary school parking lot
Students arriving for school at an elementary school in Sanchong District, New Taipei City this morning were escorted to the school gym, while police confronted an armed gangster in a parking lot under the school.
Police in Xinzhuang District were conducting a roadside check on a vehicle driven by a suspected drug dealer named Song at around 6:00 am, when the suspect suddenly drove off, ramming a police vehicle and slightly injuring one of the officers.
Officers fired three shots at the vehicle as it drove off, then chased the suspect to Sanchong District. Song then drove his vehicle, which had a flat tire damaged by a police bullet, into the underground parking lot at Bihua Elementary School.
According to reports including United Daily News, police blocked the entrance to the parking lot adjacent to the back gate of the school. One police team entered the parking lot and confronted the suspect who was armed with a modified pistol.
Like a cornered rat, Song fired two shots at the police. The officers then retreated to fetch bullet proof shields before reentering the parking lot, according to witnesses quoted in the United Daily News report.
When students started arriving at the school shortly after 7:00 am, they were escorted to the school activity center for safety, while parents were informed of the situation. Some parents chose to take their kids home instead.
Police searched the parking lot and found Song hiding behind a car on the second level. After a confrontation, Song was shot in the lower back at around 8:00 am. Song was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
With the confrontation ended, police performed a search of the parking lot to ensure there were no other suspects, while school staff checked the school grounds, classrooms, and corridors before letting teachers and students return to class at around 8:40 am.
Police found 4 machetes and a bullet-proof vest in the suspect’s vehicle.
Cover picture: United Daily News.
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