Armstrong's brutal murder: How killers struck in disguise of food delivery agents in a case that shocked Chennai

On Friday, Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu BSP Chief and former councillor of Chennai Corporation, was brutally murdered near his home in Perambur, Chennai. The tragic event occurred around 7 pm in the congested residential area of Venugopal Swamy Koil Street. Armstrong, 52, was near his under-construction house when a group of men attacked him.

The attackers, three of whom were disguised as food delivery agents, had been waiting at the location with backpacks, pretending to consult Google Maps on their phones, TOI reported, citing sources. Three more individuals, dressed in regular attire, approached Armstrong, addressing him as ‘Anna’. As Armstrong turned to respond, the attackers posing as delivery agents pulled out machetes from their bags and began their assault. The other three assailants quickly joined in the attack.

The attackers then targeted Armstrong’s brother, his driver, and a friend, who were all present. They were subsequently pushed into a 10-foot pit at the construction site. The attackers continued to assault Armstrong until he fell motionless. The attackers then escaped on three motorcycles that had been kept ready for a quick getaway.

The attack was so swift and well-coordinated that it suggested prior reconnaissance of the area, according to the police. Neighbors, accustomed to the noise from the construction site, did not realize the severity of the situation as it unfolded. Armstrong, who resided in an apartment complex on K H Road in Ayanavaram, had been visiting the construction site daily around 3:30 pm for the past week, spending several hours there.

Chennai Police make breakthrough in Armstrong murder case

On Saturday, the city police confirmed that the murder was not politically motivated and that all possible angles were being investigated. Eight suspects were apprehended within three hours of the crime, based on initial investigations. City Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore emphasized that the suspects had sufficient evidence against them, despite some political parties alleging that the wrong individuals were arrested. The police are probing the motive behind the killing but have ruled out any political connections at this stage. Most of the arrested suspects have prior criminal records, adding another layer to the investigation.