The ripple effects of Sydney’s gang violence were tragically felt in Ho Chi Minh City as a young man, aged 24, was gunned down outside a local restaurant on Thursday evening.
In a recent development, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security reported the arrest of two individuals linked to the shooting incident involving a group of foreigners in the bustling Ben Thanh Ward.
The ministry detailed that the arrests were conducted through coordinated efforts between their operational units and the Ho Chi Minh City Police.
Video footage that surfaced last week reveals the chilling moment a masked assailant, concealed beneath a hat, emerged from the restaurant, stealthily approaching Lemalu and his companions before opening fire with a handgun.
Lemalu attempted to retreat indoors but tragically fell to the ground after being struck.
The Vietnamese ministry also confirmed that another person was wounded in the attack.
Lemalu was a senior figure in the Coconut Cartel after cutting ties with a gang linked with Sydney’s Alameddine family.
Police are investigating if the shooting is linked to the ongoing struggle for the drug trade that’s caused escalating violence across Sydney.
Trang Bang Ward Police in Tay Ninh released images and names of two Australian men they wanted to speak to in connection with the shooting.
It was unclear whether they were the two suspects arrested today.
Retired NSW Police sergeant Glenn Gorick said the assassination was a “warning”.
“If they can find you in Vietnam, they can find you anywhere,” he said.
The ministry said it was investigating, verifying and handling the suspects in accordance with the law.
