David Chou, a Las Vegas resident, has been indicted on dozens of federal hate crimes relating to a shooting incident at a Southern California church luncheon in May 2022.
Las Vegas man indicted on federal hate crimes in connection with Southern California church shooting
The attack resulted in one fatality and five people sustaining injuries. The US Department of Justice announced on Thursday that Chou was charged with 98 counts, including weapons and explosives charges and forcefully obstructing the free exercise of religion. The indictment reveals that Chou’s attack was motivated by his political hatred of Taiwan, where he grew up.
Chou is alleged to have chained and nailed shut exit doors before launching the attack on a gathering of older parishioners from the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. He had two handguns, bags of ammunition, and four Molotov cocktail-style devices.
Chou had no previous connection to the church and spent an hour with attendees before launching the attack, apparently to gain their trust
He then closed the doors and started shooting. Dr. John Cheng, the 52-year-old son of a congregant, was killed in the attack, and five others were injured, ranging in age from 66 to 92. Chou was charged last year by Orange County prosecutors with murder and attempted murder, including enhancements for a hate crime and other counts. He pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, Chou faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison without parole. Currently being held without bail in Orange County, Chou is due back in court on July 14. Attorneys who previously represented Chou in a separate case in state court were not immediately available for comment. The Justice Department stated that the 45 counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by force, “which resulted in the death of one person, included attempts to kill 44 others, and involved the use of a firearm and attempted use of explosives and fire.”
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