Two Samoan nationals arrested following fatal shooting in Ho Chi Minh City

The shooting took place at around 10:10pm outside the Cee'f seafood restaurant on Truong Dinh Stree in Ben Thanh Ward, according to the police.

The victims were Lemanlu Lozenzo Tovia, aged 25, who died at the scene after being shot twice, and Sauni Sam, aged 27, who suffered serious injuries and remains under extensive treatment.

Police said that the suspects used military-grade firearms and fled immediately after the attack. The shooting was captured on a CCTV nearby and clips of it have been shared widely on social media in the days after.

Nguyen Thanh Hung, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, said investigators used surveillance measures and the city police command center's digital mapping system to trace the suspects' movements and escape route.

The two men entered Việt Nam through Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City on May 14 and spent several days monitoring the victims' movements before carrying out the attack. Initial testimony indicated the suspects acted under instructions from an individual based overseas.

Authorities said the suspects opened fire with three shots as the victims and their friends were leaving the restaurant following a dinner gathering on the evening of the shooting.

The two men were arrested less than 72 hours later near the Cambodian border and transferred back to HCM City for investigation. Police described the suspects as highly dangerous and said they were prepared to resist arrest.

Investigators have issued emergency detention orders against the two Samoan suspects on murder charges.

Police have also detained Vietnamese citizen Nguyễn Trọng Nghĩa, 24, a resident of the southern province of Tây Ninh, along with seven other Vietnamese nationals, for allegedly helping the suspects evade capture and failing to report the crime. Nghĩa reportedly worked as a passenger transport driver on the HCM City–Tây Ninh route.

Lieutenant General Mai Hoàng, director of the HCM City Police, said authorities would deal strictly with all lawbreakers operating within Vietnamese territory.

Hoàng also expressed gratitude and acknowledged the contributions and support of professional units, local police forces, and leaders of the Ministry of Public Security; the support from local Party committees and authorities; and especially the role of the people who have accompanied and provided much important information to help achieve high results.

He also urged media outlets to coordinate closely with investigators when publishing information related to ongoing cases, warning that the early release of suspect images had complicated the manhunt. — VNS