A man in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, has been arrested after fatally stabbing his friend following a dispute over a TWD1,500 (S$60) debt and lost gaming points.
The incident took place at around 1am on Wednesday (29 Apr) in an alley along Section 1 of Zhongzheng Road in Hunei District.
According to United Daily News, the victim, surnamed Mr Zhang, had borrowed Liu’s mobile gaming account but lost its accumulated points.
Mr Zhang also owed Liu TWD1,500 (S$60), which Liu demanded in cash as compensation for both the debt and the lost points.
Source: ETtoday
The confrontation quickly escalated despite attempts by mutual friends to mediate.
CCTV footage captured the moment Liu, dressed in white, emerged from a doorway and attacked Mr Zhang, who was standing nearby.
He stabbed Mr Zhang in the neck with a fruit knife as shocked onlookers tried to intervene.
Source: UDN
Witnesses, including several female friends, were heard screaming as Mr Zhang clutched his bleeding neck and attempted to retreat.
He was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injury.
A 34-year-old witness, surnamed Xu (name transliterated), said Liu had called him earlier that night, sounding agitated and saying he was going to meet Mr Zhang to collect the debt, reports ET Today.
Sensing trouble, Mr Xu rushed to the scene in hopes of calming the situation.
Source: Knews
However, he arrived just as Liu carried out the attack.
Following the stabbing, Liu fled but was later found by police in an alley about 20m from the victim’s home.
He confessed that the motive was linked to the S$60 debt and the dispute over gaming points.
Liu was arrested and referred to the Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of murder.
Source: Knews
The victim’s family expressed profound shock, particularly as the two men had been friends for a long time.
They added that Mr Zhang had recently been unemployed and had told his father he would be staying at a friend’s house for a few days.
It was also reported that Liu has a prior criminal record for property damage.
Also read: Man arrested in Taiwan after stabbing ex-boss over S$41K debt, victim in critical condition
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Featured image adapted from Knews and ETtoday.