Miaoli police investigate man fatally shot in hostage standoff

Taipei, April 18 (CNA) Police in Miaoli County are investigating the death of the alleged aggressor in a hostage standoff who was shot by a policeman early Friday morning, a local police precinct said.

The police received a report of domestic abuse at 12:15 a.m. on Friday and sent officers to a residential building in the town of Toufen where a 49-year-man surnamed Tsai (蔡) had been arguing with his girlfriend, the Miaoli County Police Bureau Toufen Precinct said in a statement.

When the police officers arrived at the scene, they found the couple at the entrance level of the building, with Tsai holding two cleavers and subsequently taking his girlfriend hostage, according to the Toufen Precinct.

The police ordered Tsai to drop his weapons, but the man instead moved toward one of the policemen, who opened fire to stop him, the Toufen Precinct said.

The Miaoli County Fire Bureau said it received a report of the shooting at 12:20 a.m. and first responders arrived to find Tsai with a gunshot wound on his left chest and no vital signs.

The first responders performed CPR all the way to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Toufen Precinct said.

Tsai's girlfriend suffered superficial injuries on her head, face and body, according to the precinct.

A police task force has been set up to work under the Miaoli District Prosecutors Office and investigate the case to determine whether the police shooting was justified.