S'porean man, 43, help to catch masked person allegedly armed with 2 knives in Taiwan

A Singaporean man helped chase down and stop a masked person allegedly armed with two knives in Taichung, Taiwan.

The actions of Willis Loye, 43, a musician, has been hailed by Taiwanese media as the actions of an alert individual.

Taiwanese media reported that the suspect was a 17-year-old identified as Chen.

He reportedly had mental health issues and has been sent for treatment and evaluation.

What happened

Loye had just finished a performance at the Grand Guandi Temple at 8pm.

He was watching the next performance when he noticed a person dressed in black with gloves on.

The youth had a white “smiley face” mask with him.

At one point, he had one hand in his pocket, while the other hand was waving at the crowd, according to Loye, who then noticed an object in the man's pocket.

The temple owner then asked the youth about his identity.

Chased youth

The youth fled.

Loye and others gave chase.

He picked a stick up and asked the youth to give up his mask.

The youth tried running away again.

Loye said he was worried at the time because he thought he would be mistaken as the attacker instead.

Loye and his friend, Chun Xiao, continued with their pursuit for about 15 minutes.

They avoided shouting at the youth to make it seem like he was not being tailed.

The suspect then slowed down.

Loye's friend caught up with the youth and put him in a headlock from behind.

Loye hit him with the stick and pinned the suspect down.

Other passers-by stopped and helped to call the police after Loye told them the person they were subduing was armed.

Other temple members stepped in to help.

The police arrived five minutes later.

Police found one knife on the youth, and he apparently produced another from his sleeve during the struggle.

Loye's friend and a police officer were sliced on their fingers during the tussle.

Loye has been residing in Taiwan for about five years and who has been playing modern temple music.

Account of incident circulated online

His account of the incident was circulated on Threads with over a million views and thousands of comments praising his actions.

Loye said there were children at the event of about 100 people.

"I was worried that this would end like the Taipei knife attack where so many got hurt,” he said.

Loye said he would do it again if he had to.

A knife-wielding attacker killed three people and injured 11 others on Dec. 19, 2025 when he went on a rampage ​in central Taipei.

Top photos via Willis Loye