Tucheng police fire 16 shots pursuing drug suspect; 2 officers injured

Police in Tucheng, New Taipei City, fired 16 shots during a pursuit of a drug suspect who resisted arrest by ramming officers and fleeing at high speed. The suspect, identified as a 34-year-old man surnamed Wu, eventually crashed after a 2-kilometer chase and was apprehended. Two officers sustained minor abrasions and bruises during the pursuit.

The incident began around 9:15 a.m. when officers arrived at an address in Tucheng District with a search warrant for Wu. Upon seeing the police, Wu immediately drove his car at high speed, colliding with two officers. Police initiated a pursuit, and to prevent his escape and mitigate public danger, officers fired multiple shots at his vehicle. The chase continued through busy city streets until Wu crashed onto a sidewalk near a McDonald's, hitting two scooters before stopping. He was then pulled from the car and subdued.

Inside Wu's vehicle, officers discovered nine etonitazene vape cartridges, two electronic cigarette atomizers, and a small amount of ketamine. Wu faces charges including drug offenses, endangering public safety, and aggravated obstruction of justice. Fortunately, no civilians were injured, though two civilian vehicles were damaged during Wu's escape, which will be handled by the traffic division.

Adding a somber note, the route taken by police pursuing Wu closely mirrors the path where a police chief, Liu Tsung-hsin, died in the line of duty while pursuing a female drug suspect. This coincidence, occurring shortly after a memorial plaque for Liu was unveiled, has intensified scrutiny on police pursuit tactics. Some members of the public have questioned whether the police are disregarding public safety by firing numerous shots and engaging in high-speed chases through densely populated areas, suggesting that evidence collection for later arrest might have been a safer alternative.