Man Killed 'Best Friends' in 'Unprovoked Attack' Before Death by Suicide, Hallucinogens Were Possible Factor

John Thao and Fong Vang, both 32, were killed early Saturday morning by Meng Vang, who then died by suicide

Two Minnesota men were killed by a man who subsequently died by suicide in an attack where hallucinogenic drugs were likely a factor, authorities say, according to multiple reports.

The victims — John Thao and Fong Vang, both 32 — were killed early Saturday morning in a double-murder suicide in Roseville, Minn., by Meng Vang, the Star Tribune reports.

Meng Vang lived in the residence where the killings took place, according to KTSP, and he tried to kill a third friend, Nou Xiong, who survived a life-threatening wound to this throat, police said, according to the Pioneer Press.

Xiong told police that Meng Vang attacked him with a knife “unprovoked,” but he escaped to another room and called for help, according to a police statement, the news outlet reports. He then messaged his girlfriend who then called 911.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office determined Thao died "by sharp force," and Fong Vang died "by sharp force and a gunshot," ruling both as homicides, according to KTSP, which also reports that the killer died by a "self-inflicted gunshot."

As of Tuesday, police had not determined a motive, according to the Star Tribune, but Deputy Police Chief Joe Adams said in a statement that “hallucinogenic drugs may have been a contributing factor.”

Thao played the Southeast Asian game Sepak Takraw for the U.S. national team, and is being remembered as “one of the kindest, happiest, and most helpful people,” Jeremy Mirken, Vice Chair of Sepak Takraw of USA, tells PEOPLE.

“He always had a smile and nothing but positivity to share,” Mirken said via messenger through the Facebook page of the team, which also shared a tribute to Thao on Saturday.

“As an athlete, he was gifted, both physically and mentally, and truly selfless on the field of play,” says Mirken, adding that Thao helped the U.S. team qualify to compete in an international Sepak Takraw series.

He was a car enthusiast who was also into acting, and Mirken remembers that he was so popular that when the team had a celebration for one of their victories, half of the attendees were just Thao’s friends.

A GoFundMe fundraiser for Fong Vang pays tribute to the “kind, humble, and loving young man.”

“It is devasting [sic] that his life was cut too short,” reads part of the fundraiser, which has been organized to assist the family with funeral costs.

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Meng Vang’s brother Cha Vang issued a statement to KTSP, saying the four men who were at the violent scene were “best friends,” and that he doesn't think his brother had any prior intention to commit violence.

“However, I believe that there must be some kind of bad substance that the four of them used that night to have caused this horrible tragedy,” he said in the statement. “I’m devastated and also deeply sorry for the other three families.”

The incident is being investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Roseville Police Department. When contacted on Tuesday, the Bureau directed PEOPLE to the police department, who did not immediately respond to a request for a statement.

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