A TAIWANESE toddler was beheaded in Taipei on Monday in what police said appeared to be a random killing, sending shock waves through the island.
The victim, surnamed Liu, was with her mother and headed to a metro station to meet up with relatives when she was attacked, according to a police statement.
The suspect, a 33-year-old man surnamed Wang, reportedly overpowered the child’s mother and decapitated the child with a kitchen knife.
“The girl’s mother rushed forward to pull Wang away, but he was stronger and pushed (her) aside,†read the statement. “She died on the spot.â€
Wang was arrested at the scene of the crime and is currently in police custody. He has yet to enter a plea.
The police did not specify the victim’s age, however, local media reported that the girl was four years old.
Police said Wang had been booked in the past over drug-related crimes. Taiwan’s Apple Daily reported that Wang was unemployed and living with his parents and had been hospitalised due to mental health issues.
Taiwan’s outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou called on authorities late Monday to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder, while police island-wide were instructed to increase patrols of neighbourhoods.