On 25/9, the People's Court of Ha Tinh province sentenced Son, 27, of Duc Quang commune, to life imprisonment for murder under Article 123 of the Penal Code. The incident occurred on 30/7/2023, after Son, angered by being reported for petty theft, attacked a group of foreign men.

Defendant Son in court, 25/9. Photo: Duc Hung

According to the indictment, on the morning of 30/7/2023, Son traveled from Duc Quang commune (formerly Duc Tho district) to Thanh Sen ward (part of the former Ha Tinh city) to handle personal documents. Around 8:00 h, he arrived at a commercial center located at the intersection of Ha Huy Tap street in Thanh Sen ward. He proceeded to the 5th floor, where an event was taking place.

Lacking a uniform and invitation, Son was directed by staff to the first-floor lobby. He then went to the second floor, where he stole two soft drink bottles from a shelf. Security personnel discovered him and reported the incident to the ward police, who took him to their station for questioning.

Around 12:30 h, after questioning, Son left the station. Approximately 300 m from the former Ha Huy Tap Ward Police headquarters, he noticed a wooden table selling pork with three knives. Angered that he was handed over to the police for only stealing two soft drink bottles, Son took a long, pointed knife, about 40 cm in length, wrapped it in cardboard, and returned to the commercial center intending to assault a security guard.

Upon reaching the lobby, Son saw numerous security personnel. He decided not to enter and instead sat near a nearby ATM, waiting to ambush someone passing by.

The commercial center's courtyard area, where the murder occurred in 7/2023. Photo: Hung Le

Around 13:10 h that same day, three Turkish men—Duran Demirer, 34; Gulaslan Ali, 43; and Ergül Sinan, 52—exited the commercial center and stood in front of the lobby. Authorities allege that upon seeing the three foreign men, Son approached them, holding the knife wrapped in cardboard. As they moved towards the stairs, Son attacked Ergül Sinan, who was walking at the rear, from behind. The victim died at the scene.

Still holding the knife, Son then instructed Phung Dinh Nguyen, a taxi driver parked in front of the lobby, to drive him to the former Ha Tinh City Police station to surrender.

In court, Son expressed remorse, stating that he acted in a fit of uncontrolled anger and hoped for a reduced sentence to atone for his actions.

Duc Hung