Eight reported injured in Incheon knife attack; suspect under electronic monitoring
In short
A knife attack at a commercial building in Incheon on October 13 left eight people injured, including a woman in cardiac arrest, most supplied reports said. Police arrested a male suspect who was under electronic monitoring, and the Justice Ministry said it would review the supervision system.
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Police arrested a man after a knife attack at a commercial building in Incheon's Guwol-dong on October 13. Most supplied reports described eight injured people, including a woman in her 20s taken to hospital in cardiac arrest. Police and fire authorities received emergency reports around 1:49 p.m. Fire officials set up an emergency medical station on the building's first floor. Police were investigating the attacker's motive and the circumstances of the incident. [ 4 , 10 , 15 , 18 ]
Early reports placed the attack at the Homeplus Guwol store, while subsequent coverage described the broader commercial building housing the store and a cinema. Newsis reported that the suspect moved between floors using escalators and that citizens blocked him with chairs, preventing further attacks. A witness told the outlet that the attacker had knives tied to both hands and stabbed people eating in the second-floor restaurant area. Police arrested the suspect at the scene, Newsis reported. [ 4 , 21 , 24 , 34 ]
Some early reports described the suspect as being in his 60s. Later Yonhap reports identified him as a man in his 50s under electronic monitoring, and Asia Economy gave his age as 59. Casualty accounts also differed: most reports gave eight injured in total, including the person in cardiac arrest, while a Newsis update described one person in cardiac arrest and eight other injured people. The supplied sources do not resolve that numerical discrepancy. [ 15 , 18 , 34 , 37 , 38 ]
Chosun Ilbo reported that President Lee Jae-myung visited Incheon police, received a briefing and requested a prompt and strict investigation, support for victims' treatment and protection, and measures to prevent similar crimes. He also ordered a review of the electronic-monitoring system. The Justice Ministry apologised and said it was investigating the incident and the supervision process, with a full review and corrective measures to follow. [ 10 ]
Why it matters
The attack injured people at a commercial facility and prompted scrutiny of electronic monitoring. President Lee Jae-myung ordered a review of supervision and measures to prevent similar incidents, according to Chosun Ilbo.
Key facts
- Emergency reports of a knife attack at the Guwol-dong commercial facility were received around 1:49 p.m. on October 13. [ 4 , 6 , 15 , 18 ]
- Most reports gave eight injured, including one person in cardiac arrest. [ 13 , 15 , 18 , 21 ]
- Police arrested a male suspect at the scene and investigated his motive and the circumstances. [ 4 , 18 , 34 ]
- Later reports identified the suspect as a man in his 50s wearing an electronic ankle monitor. [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]
- The Justice Ministry said it would review the electronic-supervision system. [ 1 , 10 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The final number of injured people. Most reports describe eight injured including one in cardiac arrest; a Newsis update describes one in cardiac arrest and eight others injured.
- The motive for the attack. Police were investigating the motive; the supplied documents do not establish it.