Suspects in fatal shooting of Australian in HCMC say acted on ‘boss orders’; entered Vietnam using fake passports and names
Two suspects accused of fatally shooting an Australian man in downtown Ho Chi Minh City told investigators they acted under orders from a “boss” overseas, police announced.
The city’s Police Department held a press conference on Tuesday to provide updates on the May 21 shooting of two Australian men in downtown Ben Thanh Ward, which left one dead and the other critically injured.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy director of the department and head of the Criminal Investigation Agency, stated that the incident occurred at a seafood restaurant on Truong Dinh Street.
Australian national Lemalu Lorenzo Tovia, 24, died at the scene. A second victim, 27-year-old Sauni Sam, also Australian national, suffered critical gunshot wounds and remains in intensive care.
Investigators determined that following the attack, the two suspects fled to their rented apartment 25 km away at Vinhomes Grand Park complex in Long Binh Ward at approximately 11:15 p.m.
They subsequently took a taxi to travel around 70 km further to the Co.opmart area in Trang Bang Town, Tay Ninh Province which borders Cambodia.
Ho Chi Minh City police quickly secured evidence and escalated the case to the Ministry of Public Security. They coordinated a joint manhunt alongside specialized units from the ministry and Tay Ninh provincial authorities.
Within 24 hours, task forces successfully identified the suspects and reconstructed their escape route.
“Although the suspects were armed and showed signs of violent resistance, police forces closely tracked them and safely apprehended them near the Vietnam-Cambodia border,” Lieutenant Colonel Hung said.
Authorities identified the suspects as Vaa Vaa, 27, and Tafia Steve, 23, both of whom hold Samoan citizenship.
Authorities had originally reported they were hunting two Australian nationals named Lang Kenny Trong Minh Do and Justin John White. However, it understood the alleged assassins had entered Vietnam using fake passports and names.
Initial police reports indicate the pair entered Vietnam specifically to carry out the hit. They reportedly monitored the victims’ daily routines before executing the shooting on the instructions of their overseas boss.
The investigation has also led to the arrest of 25-year-old Vietnamese man Nguyen Trong Nghia and seven others. They face allegations of organizing illegal border entries and exits, as well as failing to report a crime.
Ho Chi Minh City Police Director Mai Hoang praised the close coordination between local police and the Ministry of Public Security in safely apprehending the suspects, describing the manhunt as methodical and professional.
“Whether they are Vietnamese citizens or foreign nationals, anyone who violates the law will be dealt with strictly,” Hoang stated. He urged investigators to expand the case and hold accountable anyone involved in harboring or assisting the attackers. (I/C, VNE)
