On the evening of August 30, Covid-19 patrol officers from Thanh Khe District Police and Chinh Gian Ward were on duty on Thai Thi Boi Street (Chinh Gian Ward) when they heard someone shouting “robbery.”
The officers quickly chased and restrained the suspect who ran out from house number 164 Thai Thi Boi. The suspect was identified as H.M.T. (14 years old, living at 316 Thai Thi Boi). At the same time, locals found two victims, Mr. P.N.N. (28) and his sister P.T.H.N. (35, both living at 164 Thai Thi Boi), injured and rushed them to the hospital.
After questioning the teenager and speaking with his family, police confirmed this was not a robbery. T. did not steal anything from the victims. Instead, he showed signs of psychological distress despite previously being a top student.
It was revealed that T. was addicted to violent online games. Three days before the incident, his family discovered he was playing a shooting game set in a cemetery, so they deleted the game and banned him from playing it.
That evening, H.M.T. left a note for his family saying he was going out for a bit to feel better. He also mentioned he was wearing a mask and told them not to worry.
When he left, T. took a knife and a pair of scissors with him. About 100 meters from his home, near house 164 Thai Thi Boi, he saw Mr. P.N.N. sitting outside. T. approached with the knife and asked, “Are you afraid of me?” Mr. N. replied, “I’m just sitting here, why would I be afraid?” Then T. suddenly attacked him with the knife.
Hearing the screams, Mr. N.’s sister, P.T.H.N., ran out and saw her brother struggling with the attacker. Thinking it was a robbery, she shouted for help and tried to intervene but was stabbed in the left shoulder by T.
As a result, Mr. N. suffered injuries to his left hand requiring two stitches and his left arm with five stitches. Ms. H.N. was wounded in her left shoulder and needed three stitches.
Police suspect T.’s violent game obsession influenced his actions, leading him to use weapons to harm two neighbors. This case serves as a warning for families to closely monitor children addicted to online games during extended social distancing and staying at home.
The investigation is ongoing.
