On January 27, the Dong Nai Provincial People's Court announced its decision to prosecute Le Sy Tung, 33, residing in Phuoc Long ward, on charges of: murder; property robbery; illegal storage, transport, use, and trade of military weapons; and property destruction.

Also implicated in the case, Luu Minh Tien, 29, faces charges of manufacturing, storing, and illegally trading military weapons. Nguyen Van Viet, 35, is charged with illegally storing, using, and trading military weapons, while Pham Quang Huy, 36, is accused of illegally trading military weapons.

Tung at the time of his arrest. Photo: Thai Ha

According to the indictment, Tung, despite lacking stable employment and income, desired a lavish lifestyle. He frequently posted images of travel and purchasing large-displacement motorbikes for touring, owned hunting rifles, and participated in hunting activities.

Driven by his indulgent nature and aversion to work, Tung conceived a plan to commit murder and robbery for money. Having regularly used hunting rifles, he decided to employ a firearm for his crime, targeting affluent families living in isolated, remote areas.

To prepare for the crime, Tung sold his motorbike to buy a military-grade weapon, 750 rounds of ammunition, and accessories. He also purchased an iron cutter, a flashlight, a headscarf, a wig, a grappling hook, and parachute cord. Additionally, he prepared clothing and shoes to change his appearance, aiming to evade detection and mislead investigators.

In early August 2025, Tung identified the Thien Hanh agricultural product purchasing facility in Dak Nhau commune, owned by Do Duy Thien. The facility appeared well-appointed, contained numerous assets, had few occupants, and was situated in an isolated location. Tung repeatedly scouted the area, observing daily routines, assessing the terrain, and determining his attack route and escape path.

On 1/10/2025, Tung gathered all his tools and departed from his home in Phuoc Long ward (in the former Binh Phuoc province). He rode his motorbike to Thanh Tam Hospital in Long Binh ward, Dong Nai province, where he left it before taking a passenger bus to Da Lat, aiming to mislead investigators.

In Da Lat, Tung continued his journey, traveling across multiple routes by passenger bus, motorbike taxi, and public bus. Each time he switched vehicles, he changed his clothes, wore a wig and a hat, and covered his face with a mask.

Around 7 a.m. on 2/10/2025, Tung took a bus from Bom Bo commune and then a motorbike taxi to Dak Nhau commune. Approximately 2 km from the victim's house, he disembarked and walked into a rubber plantation to change his entire outfit.

Dressed in specialized motorbike touring gear, Tung wore glasses, a helmet, and gloves. He assembled his weapon, test-fired it for accuracy, and then used a grappling hook attached to parachute cord to cut power to the victim's home.

Observing the family eating dinner, Tung stood in the rubber plantation opposite, about 35 m away, and shot Do Duy Thien and his 12-year-old grandson. He then entered the house, forced open a safe, and upon hearing Do Duy Thien's wife cry for help, he killed her. After taking over 50 million VND from the safe, Tung fled the scene.

Three days later, the suspect was apprehended while hiding at his home in Phuoc Long ward.

In connection with the case, Luu Minh Tien, residing in Tay Ninh, Nguyen Van Viet, residing in Dong Nai, and Pham Quang Huy, from Thai Nguyen, are accused of selling firearms to Tung.

Phuoc Tuan