Stabbing Rampage in Seoul: Suspect with Mental Illness Claims Persecution
A stabbing rampage that took place in Bundang, south of Seoul, has left the city in shock. The suspect, a 22-year-old named Choi, is believed to suffer from a mental illness and has claimed to be a victim of persecution. Investigators have revealed that Choi dropped out of high school due to social phobia and was later diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder. He has also displayed symptoms of persecutory delusions, stating during questioning that he is being stalked and targeted for assassination by a certain group of people.
The brutal incident occurred on Thursday evening when Choi deliberately drove his vehicle into pedestrians outside a department store. He then proceeded to attack shoppers inside the store with a knife. In total, 14 people were wounded, with 12 of them sustaining serious injuries. Nine individuals were injured in the stabbing attack, while five were harmed in the car crash. The swift response by the police resulted in the immediate arrest of the suspect. A drug test conducted on Choi yielded negative results.
The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, responsible for handling the case, has established that Choi has been grappling with mental illness since his high school years. Following an investigation, it has become evident that his perceived persecution and other mental health issues may have led him to commit this heinous crime.
According to Choi and his family’s statements to the police, he left high school during his freshman year due to social phobia. Subsequently, he received a diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder in 2020 but did not receive appropriate treatment. Since dropping out of school, Choi has mostly stayed at home or taken on part-time jobs. Recently, he had been employed by a delivery service as a deliveryman. At the time of the crime, Choi was living with his family.
Officials have revealed that Choi visited the department store and Seohyeon Station a day before the incident, carrying two knives that he had purchased at a discount store. While he had planned to commit the crime on that day, fear prevented him from going through with it.
Currently, the police are conducting a forensic examination of Choi’s two mobile phones and a PC to investigate his internet history. They intend to seek an arrest warrant once further questioning is completed to uncover the precise motive behind the attack.
It’s not that the suspect is refusing to speak, but he is speaking incoherently, stated a police official. More investigations are required to fully understand all aspects of this case.
This tragic incident has once again sparked discussions about mental health support and the impact it can have on individuals. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of identifying and addressing mental health issues at an early stage to prevent such acts of violence. The authorities will continue to investigate this incident thoroughly to ensure justice is served and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
