Viet Cong Bomb American Cinema

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30368, 18 February 1964, Page 13

Viet Cong Bomb American Cinema

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SAIGON, February 17. A team of apparently highly-skilled Viet Cong terrorists shot dead a United States military policeman last night and planted a bomb that seconds later killed two other Americans and wounded 51 in an American cinema.

Police are holding a wounded rickshaw peddler as a prime suspect. No other details have been revealed. Nine Vietnamese were injured in the blast About 500 American servicemen, civilian officials and women and children were in the cinema.

Testimony from eyewitnesses showed that at least two terrorists were present at the theatre. One was seen shooting the military policeman at close range in front of the cinema. A second was seen carrying what was apparently the bomb in a canvas satchel. It is believed that a third man, or a woman, was involved.

Tight security measures were put into effect immediately and military police with shotguns today began riding on all school buses used by American children. It was expected that the American cinema and ' several other American establishments, including a bowling alley, would be closed permanently. Since February’ 1, six Americans have been killed and 85 wounded in Communist terrorist incidents in various parts of South Vietnam. Since the American military build-up in South Vietnam began in December, 1961, 111 United States servicemen have been killed by hostile action.