Nguyễn Đức Anh, 21, is accused of killing three members of a family in Đồng Nai. — Photo courtesy of the police

HCM CITY — Đồng Nai Police on Friday night initiated legal proceedings against Nguyễn Đức Anh, 21, and ordered his detention on suspicion of murder under Article 123 of the Penal Code.

Anh is accused of killing three members of a family and seriously injuring another in Bình Minh Commune, Đồng Nai, on Thursday.

The case has drawn widespread attention and sparked strong reactions on Vietnamese social media, where many users have expressed shock and condemnation over the killings.

According to investigators, Anh had told a friend he was going to collect a VNĐ5 million debt before travelling to the area where his former girlfriend lived.

Anh had been drinking with about seven people at a friend's house in Hố Nai Ward on the afternoon of September 2. During the gathering, he talked about his breakup with his girlfriend and said he would seek revenge, but was dissuaded by others.

At about 10:30pm, after the drinking session ended, Anh asked a friend to take him to Bùi Chu Hamlet, saying he needed to collect a VNĐ5 million debt from an acquaintance.

On the way, Anh asked the friend to stop at his rented room in Hố Nai Ward to pick up some belongings. There, he took a Japanese-style sword and a Thai knife and concealed them before continuing to the area.

When they arrived near his former girlfriend's home, Anh asked the friend to drive around while he observed the area.

After seeing the girl's father return from work, Anh asked his friend to stop and said: “Let me deal with this man. He is the father of the guy who owes me money.”

The friend intervened and took Anh back to his rented room before returning home.

According to investigators, at about midnight on September 3, Anh returned alone on a motorbike, wearing a face mask and carrying the weapons.

He parked behind the house of his former girlfriend's family, climbed over a fence into a neighbouring property and went onto the roof in an attempt to enter the house.

After hearing noises around a skylight, the girl's father came out and chased him away.

Anh then moved to the neighbouring house of Nguyễn Viết Quang and continued looking for a way to enter.

When Quang came downstairs from the second floor and saw Anh, he shouted for help. Anh allegedly attacked him with a knife.

Quang ran outside after being injured, but Anh allegedly chased him and continued attacking him until he collapsed about 15 metres from the gate.

Anh then returned to the house, where he attacked Quang's wife, Hồ Thị Mai, and their two children, according to investigators.

Mai, 36, died at the scene, while the two children, aged 11 and one, later died in hospital. Quang, 40, was seriously injured but has since passed the critical stage.

Police said Anh told investigators that he did not know the victims and had no previous dispute or conflict with the family.

The investigation is continuing. — VNS