The Tainan police said Friday that a man wielding two meat cleavers who attacked a police officer in a Tainan police station earlier in the day has a history of mental illness and was apparently angry about a traffic ticket he recently received.

The man, surnamed Wu (?), smelled of alcohol when he walked into Zhaigang Police Station at about 3 p.m., saying he wanted to “cool down” in an air-conditioned space, Tainan City Police Department told CNA.

He then started complaining about a traffic ticket he had received and suddenly became agitated, pulling out two meat cleavers he had been carrying around his waist.

Wu then tried to attack police officer Lee Chun-an (???), 40, who was on duty at the front desk, the department said.

Lee pushed his way past Wu and ran outside the police station as Wu chased him brandishing the two cleavers. Lee then assumed a shooting position and ordered Wu to put the knives down.

After firing a round into the air as a warning, Lin then fired 13 rounds at Wu, with five hitting his legs and one his abdomen.

After Wu fell to the ground, the officer called for back-up.

Wu was hospitalized without any life-threatening injuries. A preliminary investigation found that he has a history of mental illness, according to police.

At an afternoon news conference, Tainan City Police Bureau Commissioner Fang Yeang-ning (???) tapped Lee on the shoulder, a gesture indicating he should receive a commendation, which he did several hours later.

According to Syuejia Police Precinct, Lee received the commendation for bravery, his correct use of a firearm and for boosting morale among fellow police officers.

That was a reference to the killing of two police officers in Tainan on Aug. 22 by a man who had overstayed a permission to temporarily leave the prison, which sparked a public uproar and has prompted calls for the relaxation of rules on when police can use their weapons.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel