Nevada man charged with federal hate crimes for 2022 Taiwanese church shooting in California
A Nevada man accused of fatally shooting one person and wounding five others in a hate-fueled attack at a Southern California church last year has been charged with dozens of federal hate crimes, the Department of Justice announced Thursday.
David Chou, 69, of Las Vegas, is charged with 98 counts including weapons and explosives charges, and 45 counts of forcefully obstructing the free exercise of religion, the Justice Department said in a news release.
Chou is also accused of attempting to kill 44 others using firearms and explosives in the attack, according to the indictment returned Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California. Investigators have alleged the attack was motivated by Chou's political hatred of Taiwan, where he grew up.
If convicted, Chou faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison without parole, prosecutors said. He is in state custody pending state criminal charges, according to the Justice Department.
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'Politically motivated hate incident' against Taiwanese community
Authorities have said the attack was a "politically motivated hate incident" against the Taiwanese community. Chou, authorities added, grew up in Taiwan after his family was forced from mainland China when communists took control.
Chou, who had no prior connection to the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California, had spent an hour with older parishioners during a luncheon on May 15, 2022, to gain their trust, according to authorities.
He then chained and nailed shut exit doors before he opened fire at attendees, authorities said. Chou was armed with two handguns, bags of ammunition, and four Molotov cocktail-style devices, investigators said.
Dr. John Cheng, 52, was killed in the attack after he tried to disarm Chou, authorities said. Five others ages 66 to 92 were wounded.
According to authorities, Cheng's action helped disrupt Chou, and parishioners and the church's former pastor were able to hogtie him before police arrived.
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98 violations of federal law
Chou was charged last year by Orange County prosecutors with murder and attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty and online records show he is due back in court July 14.
The Justice Department said in a new release that Chou is charged with the following counts:
45 counts of obstructing free exercise of religious beliefs by force
45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act by attacking church attendees because of their actual or perceived national origin and faith
One count of attempting to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce by means of fire and explosives
One count of carrying explosives during the commission of a federal felony offense
Six counts of using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence
Contributing: Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taiwanese Presbyterian Church shooting: Man faces 98 federal charges
