Suspect shot dead Vice Chairman of Ward People's Council stole 2 guns, 16 bullets

On December 4, the Gia Lai Provincial Military Command continued to inspect the headquarters of the People's Committee of Doan Ket Ward (Ayun Pa Town) to investigate the case of the Deputy Military Command of the ward shooting and killing Ms. Kpa H'Ven (31 years old, Vice Chairman of the Ward People's Council).

The ward People's Committee headquarters has reopened to receive citizens. However, at the ward hall, about 60 square meters wide, where the shooting took place, the door is still locked. Inside, tables and chairs are displaced, and many tools are scattered around. On the podium, where the female ward leader was shot and the suspect committed suicide, there is a large pool of blood.

How are guns managed in the ward team?

The Doan Ket Ward Military Command is located in the premises of the Ward People's Committee headquarters, about 100 meters from the hall.

Colonel Le Xuan Hoa, Commander of the Gia Lai Provincial Military Command, said that each ward and commune military command is equipped with 5 to 10 Garand and R15 guns. The military weapons are stored in a sturdy iron cabinet with 2 locks. In addition, the gun trigger is locked with a string. The ammunition box is also locked tightly.

The ward military command must get approval from the commander of the provincial military command if they want to use guns. "In serious cases, we must also ask for the opinion of the military region's leaders," said Mr. Hoa, adding that when shooting, orders from the commander are also needed.

According to regulations, the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Ward Military Command will keep two keys to the weapon cabinet. However, at the time of the shooting, Deputy Chief Bui Chi Hieu (32 years old) was not allowed to keep the key because he was studying in the province.

"Taking advantage of the time when all the staff were attending the flag-raising ceremony and no one was in the office, Hieu used an iron cutter to pry open the cabinet lock and took two military guns and 16 bullets," said Colonel Hoa.

The victim stumbled after running 20 meters.

A day after the shooting, the Doan Ket ward officials were still scared when recalling the scene of the escape. Mr. Kpa Kinh - Secretary of the ward's Youth Union - said that the day before, Hieu texted him asking "will there be a flag salute on Monday morning?". When he replied "yes", Hieu did not say anything more.

On the morning of December 3, after the flag-raising ceremony, about 20 officers and employees entered the hall to listen to the leader's work briefing. Suddenly, Hieu walked in, holding two guns, pointed his head at the ground, and shouted: "Everyone stand still". Hearing the gunshots, the Vice Chairman of the Ward People's Council and everyone else ran away. "Because I was so panicked, I fell and scratched my arms and legs," said Mr. Kinh.

According to him, Ms. Kpa H'Ven ran into the office to hide but was still chased and threatened by Hieu. The Vice Chairman of the Ward People's Council continued to run to the gate but after about 20 meters, she tripped and fell, was restrained by Hieu and dragged into the hall. "She cried and begged but Hieu did not say anything, his face was sullen," Mr. Kinh recalled.

Dozens of Ayun Pa town police, equipped with bulletproof vests, surrounded the area and blocked off all the roads. Many officers tried to persuade Hieu to put down his gun and release the hostages, but were unsuccessful. Nearly an hour later, hearing continuous gunfire, the police approached the hall and found Ms. Kpa H'Ven dead, Hieu collapsed beside her with two guns.

After being taken to Gia Lai General Hospital for emergency treatment, the suspect's health is now improving and he is no longer in danger. "The bullet shot from under the chin caused his chin and face to be almost deformed, but his brain was not damaged," said Pham Ba My, the hospital's director.

Regarding the cause, the investigation agency determined that it could be "due to emotional conflicts". Many ward officials, the victim's family members as well as the suspect were surprised, because Hieu and Ms. Kpa H'Ven did not show signs of being too intimate every day.

"For a long time, I only knew that the two of them had a brotherly relationship through work at the ward, there was no doubt about it. My husband and I have a normal relationship. He studies far away but often comes home to take his wife and children out. He left the house this morning without any unusual signs," said Ms. Hang, the suspect's wife.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Ngoc Son, Head of the Criminal Police Department of Gia Lai Police, said that the investigation agency is completing the file to prosecute the case and the defendant.