Chiayi Man Suspected of Gunshot in Debt Dispute, Storms Lottery Shop and Surrenders to Police After Standoff

According to reports from Central News Agency, the Shuishang Police Substation in Chiayi County received an emergency call on the evening of the 13th regarding a shooting incident in Taibao City. Investigation revealed that a 59-year-old man surnamed Lin, suspected of having a debt dispute with a friend, fired a warning shot toward the ceiling after failed negotiations, then fled the scene. No injuries were reported.

Upon receiving the report, police immediately activated a major incident interception and containment operation. The suspect, upon noticing a police patrol vehicle while passing by a lottery shop on Zhongxing Road in Taibao City, realized escape was unlikely and entered the shop, ordering staff and customers to leave before barricading himself inside.

Police swiftly arrived and deployed a large number of officers around the area, setting up cordons and implementing lockdown measures to prevent escalation. Given the suspect’s unstable emotional state, a senior investigator familiar with him entered the scene to conduct negotiations. Respecting the suspect’s wishes, police contacted his friends and local community members to assist in calming him down. Eventually, the man agreed to surrender and voluntarily handed over two firearms in his possession.

Police recovered one suspected MP5 submachine gun and one handgun at the scene, and subsequent ballistic examinations and evidence collection are underway. Preliminary investigation suggests the incident stemmed from a debt dispute. The suspect will be transferred to the Chiayi District Prosecutors’ Office on charges including violations of the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act and intimidation. Authorities will continue tracing the origin and acquisition channels of the firearms, as well as investigating potential accomplices.