A young man was killed by what appeared to be a stray bullet when he was following a group of illegal motorcycle street racers in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday.

Tran Van Kiet was shot dead when he was carrying a friend on a motorbike on the National Route 1 section passing District 12 at around 2:00 am, according to police.

Kiet and his friend were traveling on the motorcycle lane of the highway, when a group of illegal racers appeared on the car’s lane in the same direction, followed by the noise of several gunshots.

While the motorbike racers were terrified and immediately rushed away to their own rescue, 19-year-old Kiet and his friend fell off the vehicle, the friend, who survived the incident, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

It was later learned that Kiet got a gunshot in his head, apparently from a stray bullet from the unidentified gunmen.

He was rushed to the nearest hospital with his head bleeding. Despite being transferred to a bigger hospital, Kiet eventually succumbed to his serious injury.

Police examine the scene of Tran Van Kiet’s death in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The motorcycle used by Tran Van Kiet is seen after he was shot dead in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Police found a bullet-like metal object fixed in his skull.

Authorities started a probe into the case in the early hours of Monday.

The victim’s body has been carried to his hometown in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam, according to Thanh Nien (Young) newspaper.

The case is still under more investigation.

The friend said the firing came from two strange riders on a Yamaha Exciter who appeared from nowhere.

Kiet and his friend were traveling from Thu Duc District to District 12 to ‘watch’ an illegal bike racing when the incident occurred, he added.

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