Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Incheon Knife Rampage Suspect; Warrant Hearing Tomorrow

The warrant hearing for the suspect in the Incheon knife rampage is scheduled for October 16.

According to police and legal sources on October 15, the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office interviewed suspect A, 59, at around 10 a.m. that day and then sought an arrest warrant. The previous day, police had requested a warrant for A on suspicion of attempted murder and carrying a weapon in a public place.

The prosecution office's directive, "Guidelines on Interviews and Fact-Finding Before Seeking an Arrest Warrant," requires prosecutors to interview arrested suspects before seeking warrants in cases that attract significant public attention, cases designated by the heads of prosecution offices at each level, and cases where the need for or appropriateness of detention is in question.

After interviewing A, the prosecutor asked police to determine whether he had prepared the more than 6 million won in cash he was carrying at the time of the crime to use as escape money. With the prosecution office seeking an arrest warrant, A's warrant hearing is scheduled for around 2 p.m. on October 16.

Eight visitors were injured when a man in his 50s went on a knife rampage at a large commercial complex in Namdong-gu, Incheon, on the afternoon of the 13th. The photo shows the suspect captured on CCTV in the second-floor restaurant area. Yonhap News Agency

Police also plan to search A's residence in Gyeyang-gu soon to secure additional evidence, including evidence of preparations for the crime.

A is suspected of attempting to kill 10 visitors by stabbing them with a weapon at the see&see building, a large commercial complex housing a large supermarket and movie theater in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, at around 1:48 p.m. on October 13.

In a police interview, he reportedly said, "I was dissatisfied with the hospital where I received treatment for a skin condition, and the hospital reported me to the police, leading to an investigation." He also claimed that he committed the crime "to make news and bring my dissatisfaction to public attention."

A reportedly has 10 prior convictions resulting in fines or more severe penalties, including two convictions for attempted murder.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.