The man who took two 3-year-old kids hostage this morning in Ho Chi Minh City demanded VND3.5 million in cash (US$175), a 26-seat car and one loaded gun but he was soon subdued, according to police accounts.

>> Man takes 2 kids hostage during school break

The culprit is Cao Quoc Huy, born in 1984, currently registered at Ly Thuong Kiet street, Tan Binh District in HCMC. He spoke very little and according to an investigator, he held the two kids at knife point because he needed money.

This investigator added it is possible Huy is a drug addict or has mental disorders.

The two victims are Nguyen Duc Tai and Bui Quang Khoi. The incident occurred at the 10A Pre-School on Go Cam Dem Street in ward 10 of Tan Binh district. It has around 300 kids (between the ages of 3 and 5) and teachers.

Police told Tuoi Tre that at 8am, Huy ran into the headmistress’ room and pulled hard at her hair. After a scuffle, Tran Thi Kim Thuy – the headmistress – managed to run outside while crying out loud for help.

Huy reacted by taking out a knife, running straight to a schoolroom and dragging out two kids, police added.

According to police accounts, when surrounded by police, Huy demanded VND3.5 million in cash (US$175), a 26-seat car and one loaded gun. If his requests were denied, he threatened to kill one of the two boys.

At 10:05, a shot was fired, 15 minutes after which more policemen arrived at the scene, many of whom were wearing plain clothes.

At 10:30, a big shout was heard from inside the school and one police officer ran towards the school gate holding a small boy, who was the first to be rescued.

At 10:35, the school gate was widely opened and four plain-clothed policemen escorted a man whose face was covered in a T-shirt to a waiting car outside.

The crowd clapped their hands in relief after seeing the perpetrator nabbed.

At 10:40, the school’s loudspeakers announced that all kids were safe.