The son of the former head of Quang Ninh Justice Department was shot dead in front of a a busy shopping mall in Hanoi Wednesday morning.

Forensic tests showed that Nguyen Minh Duong, also known as Nguyen Tran Hoang, from nearby Quang Ninh Province, took a bullet in his chest.

Duong was attacked by two men on a motorbike as he walked with another person in front of Parkson Commercial Center.

The 29-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital by a young man who disappeared immediately after.

Police found a military pistol with seven bullets on Duong. A search of his rented house found another gun and 19 bullets. Possessing guns is illegal in Vietnam.

Investigators suspect that Duong was killed in a revenge attack, but gave no further details.

They said further investigations were being carried out into the case.