Fatal Assault on Homeless Man in Chiayi Railway Station Underground Passage: 4 Suspects Indicted

(CNA reporter Huang Kuo-chang, Chiayi City, February 16) A fatal assault on a homeless man occurred in the underground passage of Taiwan Railway's Chiayi Station during this year's Lunar New Year period. Police arrested four suspected homeless individuals, and the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office has concluded its investigation.

Wu, who participated only in the first round of assault and whose actions were not particularly violent, was indicted on assault charges. The other three suspects—Chen, Qiu, and Lin—were indicted on suspicion of causing death by injury.

According to the indictment from the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office, the deceased, Zhang, along with the assailants Chen, Qiu, Wu, and Lin, all lacked fixed residences and typically stayed in the underground passage in front of Chiayi Railway Station. There were no major conflicts among the five individuals.

Prosecutors stated that Chen suspected Zhang of stealing his money and belongings. In the early morning of February 19 (Lunar New Year's third day), Chen confronted Zhang, leading to an argument. Chen shouted 'thief' to attract attention. Wu and the others then approached Zhang. Wu kicked Zhang first, followed by the other three, who took turns assaulting Zhang with their hands and feet. Zhang suffered blows to his head and back and fell to the ground, hitting his head during the assault.

After approximately 40 minutes of assault, Zhang moved to another area within the passage. However, around 8:30 a.m. the same day, Chen confronted Zhang again, reigniting the conflict. Qiu and Lin arrived at the scene, and the three resumed assaulting Zhang with intense hand and foot strikes. Qiu even performed a running flying kick on Zhang.

After the second assault, the suspects left. Zhang suffered blunt-force trauma to the head, resulting in severe brain injury. He was found dead in the underground passage at 10:19 a.m. the same day. Police arrested the four suspects using surveillance footage.

The prosecutors noted that Wu's involvement in the first assault was not severe, and Zhang was able to move independently afterward. It was determined that the fatal injuries occurred during the second assault by Chen, Qiu, and Lin. Therefore, Wu was indicted only on assault charges, while the other three were indicted on charges of causing death by injury.

The case has been concluded and transferred to Chiayi District Court. The court ordered pre-trial detention for Chen, Qiu, and Lin.

(Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150616