Sun Anzu Indicted on Gun Control and Other Charges for Making Flamethrower and Possessing Shotgun

(CNA, Taipei, June 29) Actor Sun Peng and Di Ying's son, Sun Anzu (whose name has been changed to Sun Jianhao), is suspected of self-manufacturing a flamethrower, publicly testing it, and posting videos of the tests. He also possessed a non-standard shotgun and air gun. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office today indicted Sun on charges including violations of the Gun Control Act and the Criminal Code for threatening the public.

During the investigation, prosecutors requested Sun Anzu be detained and barred from communicating with others, which was approved. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office is expected to transfer the case to the Shilin District Court this morning for a judge to rule on whether to continue his detention.

Prosecutors investigated that on January 15, February 12, February 20, February 23, and May 1 of this year, Sun Anzu, along with a friend surnamed Chen, operated a shoulder-mounted flamethrower device seven times in public roads, walkways, and parking lots in Taipei City and New Taipei City. They opened the valve to its maximum, testing its flamethrowing power. These tests occurred on April 22 between 5 PM and 6 PM, and again between 7 PM and 8 PM.

Prosecutors stated that the process generated long-range, wide-area high-temperature flames, as well as a large amount of black smoke and leaking oil and gas after combustion, posing a danger to the public.

Prosecutors found that a person surnamed Qiu, acting as a company representative, signed a cooperation agreement with Sun on March 28 of this year. Qiu's company would produce short videos, and Sun Anzu would cooperate in filming them for a fee of NT$5,000 per video, in addition to promotional activities. A videographer surnamed Jiang was responsible for some of the video planning, filming, and post-production.

Prosecutors pointed out that on April 22, Sun Anzu proposed filming a test video of the shoulder-mounted flamethrower device. That evening, around 6 PM, on an industrial road in Beitou District, Taipei City, Sun operated the flamethrower, Chen assisted with ignition, and Jiang filmed and did post-production. The video was publicly uploaded to Sun Anzu's social media account on May 14. Sun received a total remuneration of NT$25,000 for this and other short video productions.

Prosecutors found that between 2018 and 2019, Sun Anzu purchased a lethal non-standard shotgun, a lethal standard air gun, and a replica Glock imitation gun (which is banned) online for prices ranging from NT$10,000 to NT$20,000.

The Shilin District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation today and indicted Sun Anzu and his friend surnamed Chen on charges of obstructing public safety and threatening the public under the Criminal Code. Sun Anzu was also indicted on charges of possessing a lethal firearm and possessing a banned imitation gun under the Gun Control Act. Qiu and Jiang were granted a suspended prosecution for the charge of threatening the public, with a probation period of 1 year. They are required to pay NT$20,000 to the public treasury and complete 8 hours of legal education courses. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150629

Stand with the facts. Your sponsorship empowers the force guarding press freedom.

Download the CNA "One-Stop News" APP for real-time updates.

This website's text, images, and videos may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.