Ho Chi Minh City police chief emphasizes legal compliance for both Vietnamese citizens, foreigners after deadly shooting

He underlined that suspects who cooperate and provide honest testimony would be considered for leniency under Vietnamese law.

The Ministry of Public Security said on Monday that its officers teamed up with Ho Chi Minh City police arrested two suspects, who are Samoan nationals, linked to the shooting attack that left one foreigner dead and another injured in Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City on May 21.

Investigators identified the two suspects as Vaa Vaa, 27, alleged to have shot the victims, and Tafia Steve, 23, accused of acting as an accomplice.

The victims included Australian national Lemalu Lorenzo Tovia, 25, who was found dead after being shot twice, and another Australian citizen, Sauni Sam, 27, who suffered a gunshot wound.

Lieutenant General Hoang highly praised the close coordination between Ho Chi Minh City police, investigative units under the Ministry of Public Security, and other forces from neighboring provinces in the case.

He noted the joint task force moved swiftly and effectively to identify the suspects’ escape routes and successfully apprehended those involved in the shooting.

The head of the municipal department expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security for the decisive direction throughout the investigation.

“I highly value the role of the people, who accompanied and provided important information to investigators, contributing significantly to the successful outcome achieved today,” he said.

“All units must continue expanding the investigation, strictly handle all violations of the law, and protect the peaceful and happy lives of the city’s residents."

At 10:10 pm on May 21, police in the city received a report of a shooting involving two foreign suspects armed with military-grade weapons outside Cee’f Restaurant at 70 Truong Dinh Street in Ben Thanh Ward.

Lieutenant General Hoang immediately ordered criminal police units, task forces, and police in Ben Thanh Ward to secure the scene, assist the victims, and collect evidence.

Within less than 24 hours, investigators identified the two Samoan suspects, while reconstructing their movements before and after the shooting.

Despite the pair’s highly professional methods, violent behavior, and use of military-grade weapons, the joint task force captured the two while they were hiding near the Vietnam-Cambodia border less than 72 hours after the killing happened.

The suspects were subsequently escorted to the headquarters of the investigative police agency under the municipal department.

Eight local people have also been detained for allegedly assisting the two suspects in their attempted escape.