“Boss Gesture” at Coffee Shop: One Suspect in Custody

Incident Details

On the afternoon of September 17, around 2:30 p.m., at T6 Café in Times City, a group of young men clashed with café staff. During the confrontation, Vu was caught on video standing behind the group, making a hand gesture that appeared to signal others. The clip spread rapidly online, where many labeled him the “boss” who waved his hand to command an attack.

Police officers from Vinh Tuy Ward responded quickly, took initial statements, and transferred the case to Hanoi’s Investigation Police for further handling.

Procedural Actions

After reviewing witness statements and available footage, investigators determined that Vu’s actions carried signs of disturbing public order. He has been placed in temporary detention to clarify his role, especially whether his gesture was indeed an instruction for others to assault café staff.

The detention aims to prevent flight, destruction of evidence, and to support a comprehensive investigation.

Public Reactions

The case has triggered wide debate. Some argue Vu’s gesture clearly resembled a signal directing the violence, which could aggravate the seriousness of the offense. Others contend that viral images alone are insufficient to establish intent, stressing the need for official investigation results.

Questions have also been raised about privacy rights and the impact of social media exposure. Prematurely labeling someone as a “mastermind” could unfairly damage reputation before any court ruling.

Next Steps

Investigators are continuing to:

• Verify whether Vu’s gesture had directive intent.

• Identify who directly participated in the assault.

• Assess the extent of harm to the victim.

The findings will determine whether the case results in administrative penalties or formal criminal charges such as disturbing public order or intentional assault.

Conclusion

The “boss gesture” incident highlights how a brief action can be magnified online and spark controversy. While awaiting the official outcome, it remains crucial to uphold due process, protect the legal rights of those involved, and ensure that any handling of the case strictly follows the law.