An image of Le Quoc Tuan, who has been killed by HCM City's police task force on Thursday at midnight. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Public Security

The Ministry of Public Security revealed that Tuan, a lieutenant of the District 11 police division, was killed in a police raid while hiding in a house in Hoc Mon District in HCM City at midnight on Thursday (February 13).

Tuan’s body was found lying next to the loaded AK-47. He had reportedly opened fire on police before being shot from a distance of about three metres.

Tuan was hiding in a house on the border of Binh My Commune and was surrounded by many other households. All households had been evacuated before police began the raid.

At 10.50pm on Thursday night, an armed task force equipped with bullet-proof vests from HCM City Police Department approached the house at close range.

Officers also surrounded the exterior of the property.

Tuan was identified as being alone in the house with the assault rifle.

A gunshot was heard from the house, and a barrage of bullets followed. The police later announced the man had been killed and the house was clear.

Traffic along provincial expressway No.15 was blocked until the convoy of police left the area at 1.23am.

The mass shooting occurred on Wednesday 29 January – the last festive day of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday – when Le Quoc Tuan, 33, reportedly shot four people and injured one with an AK-47 at an illegal gambling site in Tan Thanh Dong Commune in suburban Cu Chi District, about 30km northwest of the city centre.

Tuan was said to be one of the gamblers. He fled the scene. During his escape, another armed robbery with one more person shot dead was reported in Cu Chi the next day which many believe was in connection to Tuan. Two others managed to escape and were injured, including a motorcyclist and a van driver.

HCM City police issued a nationwide warrant for Tuan for murder, robbery and illegal use of military weapons. — VNS

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