Tuong lived next door to 13-year-old Phat, son of Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa, on Nguyen Khoa Dang Street, Thanh Nhat ward, Buon Ma Thuot City. Early in the morning of 13/9, Phat's family was attacked by 37-year-old Nguyen Nam Dai Thuan, also known as Hao Dien.

A 2-meter wall separated the two homes, connected by a ladder.

The boy in the house on the left opened the door to save his friend from the murderer. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

The boy in the house on the left opened the door to save his friend from the murderer. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Visibly shaken, Tuong recounted how he was asleep with his younger sister and grandmother (his parents work away from home) when he heard screams coming from Phat's house. Moments later, he heard frantic knocking and cries for help at his back door.

Tuong opened the door to find Phat bleeding profusely from a deep arm wound. He helped Phat to his bed and locked the door. Phat explained that Thuan had attacked his family, and he had escaped over the wall via the ladder.

Repeated banging on the door followed, but a terrified Tuong refused to open it. Seeing his friend weakening from blood loss, Tuong gave him water. Around 3 a.m., when the police arrived, he finally opened the door, and they rushed Phat to the hospital.

Neighbors described Ms. Hoa as a businesswoman living with her mother, her son Phat, and her 3-year-old daughter with Thuan. They reported frequent arguments and tension between Ms. Hoa and her partner.

On the night of the attack, neighbors heard a commotion but were too afraid to investigate. When police later asked to review security footage, they were shocked to see Bui Huu Nghia, Ms. Hoa's 23-year-old brother, being attacked and killed at the front gate.

Nguyen Nam Dai Thuan at the time of his arrest. Photo: Dak Lak Police

Nguyen Nam Dai Thuan at the time of his arrest. Photo: Dak Lak Police

According to the investigation, Thuan has a prior criminal record. During his relationship with Ms. Hoa, they frequently argued due to his jealousy. Eventually, Ms. Hoa's mother forbade him from living in the house. Recently, Thuan had made repeated attempts to see and "talk" to Ms. Hoa, but she had refused.

Last night, Thuan returned to the house and Bui Huu Nghia opened the door. Thuan immediately attacked Nghia with a hammer, dragged him into the street, and fatally stabbed him.

Thuan then entered the house and killed Ms. Hoa and her mother. He also stabbed Phat multiple times. Although severely injured, Phat managed to escape to his neighbor's house and was later taken to the hospital.

Security footage and videos recorded by residents show Thuan dragging Nghia's body back into the house and washing the blood off himself before escaping on a motorbike.

During his escape, Thuan stole a Honda SH motorbike, disguised himself in women's clothing and a face covering, and continued to flee.

Dak Lak Provincial Police mobilized hundreds of officers to hunt for Thuan. By 8:30 a.m. that morning, they apprehended him in Ea Kao ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, about 6 km from the crime scene.

Tran Hoa