The Ha Tinh Provincial People's Court on 18/9 sentenced Huynh and Do, both 23 and residents of Ha Linh commune, for murder under Article 123 of the Penal Code.

In court, Huynh and Do expressed remorse, hoping for a reduced sentence to atone for their actions.

The court determined the defendants' actions were dangerous, aggressive, and directly threatened others' lives, requiring severe punishment. The court ordered Huynh and Do to pay 500 million VND in compensation to the victim's family.

The two defendants in court. *Photo: Hung Le*

According to the indictment, on the evening of 6/10/2025, Huynh and Do were at a cafe in Ha Linh commune (formerly part of Huong Khe district). While on his phone, Do had a conflict with the Facebook account "Nguyen Thanh Long" and the chat group "Nguoi Can Loc". Both sides exchanged insults, issued challenges, and arranged a fight at Khe Giao intersection, Xuan Loc commune.

Do told Huynh about the situation and invited him to come along. On the way to the meeting point, Do stopped at a friend's house to get a metal pipe, over one meter long, as a weapon. Upon reaching Khe Giao intersection, Do hid the pipe in a ditch and waited with Huynh.

Around 0h20 on 7/10/2025, Do saw two motorcycles carrying five teenagers pass by; one carried Ha Gia Bao, 14, and two others. Believing this group was their awaited rival, Do grabbed the iron pipe, and with Huynh, got on a motorcycle and pursued them.

After about 500 meters, Do told Huynh to get close to the motorcycle carrying three teenagers. When the two motorcycles were about one meter apart, Do raised the iron pipe toward the group. Frightened, Bao accelerated, steering right, while the two passengers leaned to avoid the pipe.

Due to speeding and entering a curve, the motorcycle crashed into a roadside ditch. The three teenagers fell into the ditch, hitting the concrete, and slid about five meters.

Bao sustained severe injuries and died despite being rushed to the hospital. The two other victims sustained minor injuries and scratches.

After the incident, Huynh and Do discarded the pipe by the roadside, left the scene, and were arrested by police a few days later. According to authorities, there had been no prior conflict between the parties; the pursuit resulted from the defendants mistaking the teenagers for their rivals.