Karaoke bar owner stabbed to death by customer on Tet holiday

On the morning of February 20, Major Tran Van Hung - Deputy Head of Thanh Chuong District Police said that the unit had just coordinated with the provincial police's professional departments to quickly solve a murder case at a karaoke bar in the area on the third day of Tet.

At around 7:30 p.m. on February 18 (the third day of Tet), three brothers, Pham Van Cuong (born in 1990), Pham Van Hong (born in 1996), and Pham Van Thong (born in 1995), all residing in Hamlet 9, Thanh An Commune, after drinking at home, went together to Tan Phat karaoke bar in Hamlet 3, Thanh Chi Commune, owned by Le Trung Tam (born in 1977), to rent a room to sing. However, due to the large number of customers, the bar was full.

While Cuong's group was standing in front of the gate, a customer came out and honked to tell them to get out of the way. After a heated argument, Cuong pulled out a knife from his motorbike's trunk and tried to slash the customer, but he managed to run away. Already drunk, the three Cuong brothers cursed the restaurant and got into a fight with a few people there.

At this time, the manager of the restaurant called Mr. Le Trung Tam, who was drinking nearby, to come and resolve the matter. Mr. Tam came back and loudly blamed Cuong's group for causing trouble at the restaurant. An employee rushed in and hit Thong on the head.

A conflict broke out between the two sides, Cuong stabbed Tam repeatedly with a knife, including one in the thigh and three in the abdomen. Tam was taken to Thanh Chuong District General Hospital for emergency treatment by staff, but died due to severe injuries. At this time, Cuong's group got on a motorbike and fled.

Upon receiving the news, Thanh Chuong District Police arrived at the scene and reported to the provincial police leadership.

While waiting for the provincial police to arrive at the scene, Thanh Chuong district police conducted an initial investigation. Because Cuong's brothers came from another commune, no one knew their names.

After screening and verifying information, Thanh Chuong District Police also identified the main perpetrators as the three Cuong brothers. Knowing that Thong was injured in the head, a reconnaissance team went to the medical station and arrested Pham Van Thong and Pham Van Hong there. Pham Van Cuong escaped.

After a process of persuasion and mobilization, on the morning of February 19, Pham Van Cuong surrendered himself to Thanh Chuong District Police.

Thanh Chuong District Police coordinated with the Criminal Police Department (PC45), Criminal Technique Department (PC54) of Nghe An Provincial Police, and Thanh Chuong District People's Procuracy to organize a crime scene investigation and autopsy to investigate and clarify the case.

Major Tran Van Hung - Deputy Head of Thanh Chuong District Police said that the case file and the subjects have been handed over to PC45 Department for investigation and handling according to authority.