Hanoi City Police Investigation Police have initiated a murder case and prosecuted Cao Van Hung, 51 years old, the suspect in the arson attack on a karaoke bar in Co Nhue 2 Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, killing 11 people.
Cao Van Hung, residing in Dai Mach commune, Dong Anh district (Hanoi), was arrested at 0:00 on December 19, about an hour after committing the crime at the "singing to each other" cafe at 258 Pham Van Dong street, Co Nhue 2 ward, Bac Tu Liem district.
According to initial verification results, at 9:17 p.m. on December 18, Hung went to the karaoke bar above. Hung sat drinking beer alone and had a conflict with a group of 7 guests.
The two sides went to Pham Van Dong street to resolve the conflict. After being beaten, Hung ran to buy a plastic bucket at Co Nhue market and then went to a store on Phan Ba Vanh street to buy 150,000 VND for gasoline (about 7 liters).
Hung said that around 11pm, he took a taxi back to the shop and poured a bucket of gasoline on the first floor.
According to authorities, when Hung set the fire, the fire quickly caught on to the furniture and motorbike, causing it to flare up fiercely. At the time of the fire, there were about 16 people in the restaurant, but the fire blocked the main door, preventing many from escaping.
The restaurant is about 40 square meters wide. The first floor has a triangular porch covered with corrugated iron and enclosed by an iron frame. The second floor has a balcony with a railing, and the third floor has an open balcony.
According to Hanoi City Police, Hung has two previous convictions for robbery and theft. The suspect has a permanent residence in Co Nhue 2 Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, but currently lives in Dai Dong Village, Dai Mach Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.
Previously, at 11:03 p.m. on December 18, the 114 switchboard received a fire report at 258 Pham Van Dong, Co Nhue 2 Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, with many people trapped. Fire prevention and fighting police from the city police and the districts of Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, and Tay Ho arrived at the scene about 10 minutes later, coordinating to put out the fire and rescue people.
23:40, the fire was controlled, 7 people escaped death, 11 people died.
The police are verifying the identities of the victims; at the same time supporting the victims' families, urgently overcoming the consequences.
VN (synthesis)