Police ID suspected Vietnamese gang member in Schuylkill river double-slay

Tam Le, 42. Credit: PPD

Police have issued a warrant for a suspect in the shocking double-slaying last month when two men had their throats cut and were dumped in the Schuylkill River.

Tam Le, 42, of the 500 block of East Lycoming Avenue, is wanted for his involvement in the murders of brother Vu Huynh, 31, and Viet Huynh, 28, both of Paoli, police said today.

The Huynh brothers were found dead in the Schuylkill near Hunting Park Avenue in the early morning hours of August 27.

A third 23-year-old victim was also stabbed but survived and flagged down a passing motorist to ask for help around 4 a.m.

The police Marine Unit located the brothers’ bodies and pronounced them dead at 4:30 a.m.

Reports later indicated that the slayings may have stemmed to a $100,000 debt the Huynh brothers owed.

Anonymous police sources told the Inquirer that a Vietnamese gang gave the two brothers the money to buy drugs, but after they gambled the funds away at a casino, the gang allegedly captured them and took them to a Southwest Philly garage on the 2400 block of South 72nd Street.

The brothers were reportedly allowed to call a friend, reportedly the third victim, to bring money to save their lives. He reportedly brought $40,000, but was beaten and stabbed anyways, and all three were then driven in a van to the Schuylkill where all three were dumped.

Now, a $40,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of Le.

Tipsters can call 215-686-3334/5 or 911.

No arrests or criminal charges have been reported in this case.