Le Sy Tung, 33, from Phuoc Long ward, formerly Binh Phuoc province, was brought before the Dong Nai Provincial People's Court at 13h on 9/2. He faces four charges: murder, property robbery, illegal possession, transport, use, and trade of military weapons, and property destruction. This exceptionally serious case, which shocked public opinion four months ago, involved the deaths of Mr. Do Duy Thien, his wife, and their 12-year-old grandson at the Thien Hanh agricultural produce purchasing facility in Dak Nhau commune, formerly Bu Dang district, Binh Phuoc province.

Three other individuals are also implicated in the case. Luu Minh Tien, 29, is charged with manufacturing, illegal possession, and trade of military weapons. Nguyen Van Viet, 35, faces charges of illegal possession, use, and trade of military weapons, while Pham Quang Huy, 36, is charged with illegal trade of military weapons.

According to the indictment, Tung had no stable employment or income but desired a lavish lifestyle. He frequently posted images of travel, purchased large displacement motorcycles for touring, owned hunting guns, and participated in hunting activities. Driven by a desire for indulgence and aversion to labor, Tung conceived a plan to commit murder and robbery for money. Having regularly used hunting guns, he decided to employ a firearm for the crime, targeting affluent families living in isolated, remote areas.

To execute his plan, Tung sold his motorcycle to purchase a military weapon, 750 rounds of ammunition, and accessories. He also acquired a metal cutter, a flashlight, a balaclava, a wig, a grappling hook, and parachute cord. Additionally, he prepared various clothes and shoes to alter his appearance, aiming to evade detection and mislead investigators.

In early August 2025, Tung identified Mr. Do Duy Thien’s agricultural produce purchasing facility as a suitable target: it was affluent, had few occupants, and was isolated. He visited the area multiple times to scout, observing daily routines, mapping the terrain, and determining his attack approach and escape routes. On 1/10/2025, Tung carried all his tools, rode his motorcycle from his home in Phuoc Long ward to Thanh Tam Hospital in Long Binh ward, Dong Nai province, where he parked it. He then took a passenger car to Da Lat to mislead investigators. From Da Lat, Tung continued his journey, using various modes of transport including passenger cars, motorbike taxis, and buses. Each time he switched vehicles, he changed his clothes, wore a wig, a hat, and a face mask to conceal his identity. Around 7h on 2/10/2025, Tung traveled by passenger car from Bom Bo commune and then took a motorbike taxi to Dak Nhau commune. Approximately 2 km from the victims' home, he disembarked and walked into a rubber plantation to change his attire.

Le Sy Tung (center) is being prosecuted for four offenses. *Thai Ha*

Dressed in specialized motorcycle touring gear, Tung wore glasses, a helmet, and gloves. He assembled his gun, test-fired it for accuracy, and then used a grappling hook with parachute cord to cut the power to the victims' house. Later that evening, seeing Mr. Thien, his wife, and their grandson eating, Tung stood at the edge of the opposite rubber plantation, about 35 meters away, and shot Mr. Thien and the 12-year-old boy. He then entered the house and broke open the safe. Upon hearing Mrs. Thien's cries for help, Tung went out and killed her. After taking over 50 million dong from the safe, he fled the scene.

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

The Central Bien Hoa Psychiatric Forensic Institute determined that Le Sy Tung suffers from a "schizophrenia-type disorder" but possesses sufficient capacity to be aware of his actions and control his behavior.

Regarding the co-defendants: The indictment states that Luu Minh Tien directly sold Tung a Ruger (.22LR) firearm and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Despite knowing it was a military weapon, Tien purchased components online, assembled the gun, and then sold it. Pham Quang Huy acted as a broker and intermediary in the gun transaction between Tien and Tung. Huy directly facilitated the connection, received a deposit, negotiated the price, and profited from introducing the firearm. Nguyen Van Viet, despite being aware of the gun's nature, still engaged in the transaction, contributing to the illegal circulation of weapons.

Tung was once a student at the University of Information Technology but dropped out. During his 11th grade, he committed property theft and received a two-year suspended sentence.

Phuoc Tuan