Nguyen Ngoc Dao, a 35-year-old Korean-speaking tour guide from Da Nang, was taken into custody on 27/3 after a violent rampage in Quang Tri. Authorities initiated criminal proceedings against Dao for robbery, illegal possession and use of military weapons, and murder. The incident, which began on the afternoon of 26/3, saw Dao kill his mother-in-law and a hired driver, injure his father-in-law, and then livestream his actions and grievances from inside his vehicle.

Dao, who married a woman nine years his junior from Kim Dien commune, Quang Tri, had been experiencing marital problems for nearly two weeks. He frequently expressed his dissatisfaction with his wife and complaints about her family on social media. He stated they could not live together and, for the sake of their two children, he wanted his wife to change. These public statements were widely shared, intensifying the conflict between Dao and his in-laws.

The violence began on the afternoon of 26/3 when Dao rented a 7-seater car in Da Nang and drove to Kim Dien commune to confront his family. Upon reaching Kim Phu commune, about 10 km from his father-in-law's home, Dao asked the driver to borrow the car for a personal errand. The driver refused, leading to an argument. During the dispute, Dao used a homemade gun he was carrying to shoot the driver dead. He then drove the car to an acacia and cajuput plantation, about 700 m from Ho Chi Minh Road, to conceal the body.

Nguyen Ngoc Dao at the investigative agency. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Police.

Nguyen Ngoc Dao at the investigative agency. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Police.

Later that evening, around 22h5, Dao arrived at his in-laws' home on Ho Chi Minh Road. Five people were inside the house. Dao shot his father-in-law, who was lying in bed, injuring him. His mother-in-law attempted to flee to a nearby barbershop but was shot dead by Dao. His wife and his sister-in-law's two children managed to escape the attack unharmed.

A neighbor recounted hearing screaming and objects being smashed, though no gunshots. When they rushed over, they saw Dao "walking around with a gun, searching for his wife." The incident kept villagers awake all night as they monitored the unfolding situation.

Dao's in-laws' two-story house and the barbershop where his mother-in-law fled. Photo: Dac Thanh.

Dao's in-laws' two-story house and the barbershop where his mother-in-law fled. Photo: Dac Thanh.

Unable to locate his wife, Dao repeatedly drove back and forth in front of his in-laws' house. He then began a livestream from inside his oto, discussing the recent killings and detailing emotional and financial conflicts with his wife and her family.

After approximately one hour of livestreaming, Dao drove to his parents' house, about 16 km away, and stopped at the gate. He called his brother, asking him to bring his two children from Da Nang to meet him before he intended to commit suicide. According to witnesses, his parents pleaded with him to stop, but Dao refused to open the car door, clinging to his gun. He demanded instant noodles and requested to see his wife. After about one hour of parking, Dao drove into his parents' house, where he barricaded himself in the car after the gate was locked, preventing him from leaving.

The area where Dao hid the taxi driver's body. Photo: Dac Thanh.

The area where Dao hid the taxi driver's body. Photo: Dac Thanh.

The standoff ended at 4h on 27/3 when Dao opened the car door, exited, and surrendered the gun and a knife. Police had examined the crime scene during the night, and the driver's body was transported to his hometown that same morning.

Dac Thanh