Taipei police fire 3 shots to stop drunk driver who crashed into checkpoint

Police in Taipei fired three shots to stop a drunk driver who twice refused to comply with officers and rammed their vehicles. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning in the Zhongshan District.

The 30-year-old suspect, identified by his surname Hsu, had been drinking with friends at a hotel. While driving a friend's car to take another friend home, he encountered a police roadblock on Songjiang Road. Fearing his friend's car would be impounded due to his intoxication, Hsu accelerated through the checkpoint.

Officers noted the vehicle's details and alerted other units. They located Hsu again on Xinsheng North Road while he was stopped at a traffic light. When officers attempted to stop him again, Hsu refused and drove his car towards their police motorcycles. In response, an officer fired three shots to disable the vehicle and prevent further danger. Hsu managed to escape but was later apprehended.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and determined that Hsu had parked the car in a lot on Linsen North Road and returned to the hotel to continue drinking. Police apprehended him there about two hours later. Hsu, who has a fraud record and is unemployed, was transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for charges including obstructing official business and endangering public safety.