Stanton, California — A man accused in a drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy in 2025 has been returned to the United States from Vietnam to face serious charges, officials announced on Monday. The tragedy unfolded in July when gunfire erupted in a neighborhood, injuring another teenager and sending shockwaves through the community.
Quoc-Bao Viet Le, 21, was apprehended in Ho Chi Minh City and transported back to the U.S. on January 21. Following his return, he was booked into Orange County Jail. According to charging documents, Le allegedly fled to Vietnam shortly after the violent incident to escape prosecution.
Le is facing multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder, alongside conspiracy and unlawful shooting into an occupied dwelling. If convicted on all counts, he could face a prison sentence ranging from 50 years to life. The criminal complaint outlines a premeditated plan that led to the tragic events of July 5, 2025, which left Samuel Vidal dead and another boy, 13, injured.
Prosecutors allege that Le and four accomplices gathered to orchestrate the shooting aimed at rival gang members. They reportedly drove to Stanton in a black Mercedes-Benz shortly before the shooting, wearing masks to conceal their identities. The group confronted Vidal and his friend on Court Street, and during the confrontation, Le is accused of opening fire from the passenger seat, while a second assailant exited the vehicle to shoot at the victims.
Vidal sustained multiple gunshot wounds that ultimately proved fatal, while the younger boy survived a gunshot to his chest. As investigators pieced together the case, they worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and the District Attorney’s Organized Crime Unit. Leads emerged through the analysis of licensing plate readings and surveillance footage.
Danny Huynh, 24, who is alleged to have been involved as a shooter, is currently incarcerated in Orange County. Troy Quang Lu, also 21, purportedly served as the getaway driver and was apprehended just hours after the incident. Both face serious charges, including murder and attempted murder.
A fourth suspect, 20-year-old Ali Ibrahim Alsouqui, is believed to have fled to Jordan following the shooting and remains at large. Authorities are still in pursuit of an unidentified fifth suspect connected to the case. The investigation underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to tackle gang-related violence and bring those responsible to justice, as community members mourn the loss of a young life cut short.