Investigators examine the scene on the second-floor restaurant level of a large commercial complex in Namdong-gu, Incheon, where a man in his 50s went on a stabbing rampage Tuesday, injuring eight people. [Yonhap]
Investigators examine the scene on the second-floor restaurant level of a large commercial complex in Namdong-gu, Incheon, where a man in his 50s went on a stabbing rampage Tuesday, injuring eight people. [Yonhap]

A man in his 50s who stabbed eight people at a large commercial complex in Incheon was found to have been carrying more than 6 million won ($4,480) in cash at the time of the attack, police said.

According to police and legal sources Thursday, more than 6 million won in cash was found among the belongings of the suspect, identified only as A, 59, against whom an arrest warrant has been sought on charges of attempted murder and carrying a bladed weapon in a public place.

Witnesses had earlier reported that A dropped an envelope containing 2.2 million won at the scene. It had not been known that he was carrying an additional 4 million won or more.

The 2.2 million won A dropped prompted considerable speculation. Police said they believe the money was not intended to lure victims.

A reportedly told police that he had raised the cash by selling jewelry he owned.

Police plan to question A further to determine why he was carrying such a large amount of cash.

A had occasionally worked day labor jobs and was found to have had no steady income.

A is accused of attempting to kill 10 people by stabbing them at a large commercial complex in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon — a facility housing a hypermarket, a movie theater and other businesses — at around 1:48 p.m. Tuesday.

Eight of the victims, including a 19-year-old woman who remains unconscious, were classified as injured. The other two escaped unharmed.

Prosecution office to interview suspect ahead of warrant review

The Incheon District Prosecution Office plans to interview A on Thursday before deciding whether to seek a detention warrant.

Prosecution guidelines require that suspects under arrest be interviewed before a warrant is sought in cases that draw significant public attention, cases designated by a chief prosecutor, and cases where the necessity or appropriateness of detention is in question.

A pretrial detention hearing for A is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

A prosecution official said the interview was "a procedure carried out in accordance with standard practice."

A reportedly told police during questioning that he had grievances against a hospital where he had received treatment and was also dissatisfied with having come under police investigation following a report by the hospital. He allegedly said he committed the attack "to create news and draw attention in order to make these grievances known to society."

The Incheon Namdong Police Station is also reviewing whether to publicly disclose A's identity.

Police said they would convene a review panel to determine whether it is appropriate to release A's face and real name, weighing the public's right to know about the crime against its potential deterrent effect.

The decision is expected to be made this week through a police identity-disclosure review committee composed of internal and external members.


yul@heraldcorp.com