Suspect arrested for murdering 21-year-old girl in Lai Chau after 24 hours on the run

Previously, at around 7:15 p.m. on March 5, a murder case occurred in Phieng Ang village (Nam Can commune, Tan Uyen district, Lai Chau province). The victim was Lo Thi L (born in 2003, residing in Phieng Ang village). The suspect was identified by the police as Lo Van Xuom. After committing the crime, the suspect took a knife and fled in the direction of Nam So commune.

Under the close direction of the Director of Lai Chau Provincial Police, Colonel Pham Hai Dang, Deputy Director of the Provincial Police, directly directed the investigation and went to the checkpoints to urge the forces to urgently search for the subject.

The area where the suspect is hiding is Na Ban village (Than Thuoc commune, Tan Uyen district) with complex mountainous terrain and large area. The Steering Committee of the special project has directed to resolutely capture the subject. The police force of 260 officers and soldiers along with over 100 militia and security forces of the village have set up many checkpoints, patrol teams, and surrounded the trails and forest gates to prevent the subject from escaping. After more than 24 hours, the Steering Committee has arrested the subject Lo Van Xuom.

At the investigation agency, Lo Van Xuom confessed that since the end of 2023, while working for hire in Hanoi, Xuom and Ms. Lo Thi L had a love relationship. During the Tet holiday, the two went to Ms. L's house in Tan Uyen to live together, and the two bought a Honda Wave Alpha motorbike (without a license plate) on installments. However, during the Giap Thin Tet holiday, due to lack of money, Xuom pawned the above motorbike at a store in Sin Ho district.

Since then, Ms. L and Xuom often had conflicts and arguments. On the afternoon of March 5, Xuom went drinking in Phieng Ang village and was scolded and kicked out of his house by Ms. L. During the argument, Xuom took a sharp knife with a wooden handle, about 40 cm long and 10 cm wide, and slashed Ms. L, causing her to die on the spot.

After committing the crime, Xuom took the weapon and fled the scene and hid in a tree-lined hill. Seeing the police force surrounding him, he did not dare to go out on the street to escape. While on the run, Xuom inflicted several injuries on himself with the intention of committing suicide.

The subject was taken to Tan Uyen District Medical Center for first aid and to assist in the investigation of the case.