SANTA ANNA, Calif. — A man accused of fatally shooting one person and wounding five others at a church luncheon in Southern California last year has been charged with dozens of federal hate crimes in connection with the attack, which investigators say was motivated by political hatred towards Taiwan.
The indictment announced Thursday by the US Department of Justice charges David Chou, of Las Vegas, with 98 counts including possession of weapons and explosives and forcible obstruction of the free exercise of religion.
Messages seeking comment from lawyers who have represented Chou, 69, in a separate case in state court were not immediately returned.
Authorities said Chou chained and nailed down the exit doors before launching the attack on a gathering of older congregants of Taiwan Irvine Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods on May 15, 2022.
Chou had two pistols, bags of ammunition and four Molotov cocktail-type devices, and was motivated by hatred of Taiwanwhere he grew up, the researchers said.
Among the charges were 45 counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious belief by force, “resulting in the death of one person, including attempts to kill 44 others, and involving the use of a firearm and the attempt to use of explosives and fire. the Justice Department said in a statement.
Chou was charged last year by Orange County prosecutors with murder and attempted murder, including hate crime enhancements and other charges. He pleaded not guilty. Online records show Chou is currently being held without bond in Orange County and is due back in court on July 14.
Authorities said Chou had no prior connection to the church. They said he spent an hour with attendees before the attack, apparently to gain their trust, then he closed the doors and started shooting.
Dr John Cheng, the 52-year-old son of a congregation member, charged at Chou and was killed, authorities say. His action helped interrupt the shooter, who was struck by a chair thrown by the church’s former pastor and jumped by several people who tied him up with an extension cord until police arrived.
The injured victims ranged from 66 to 92 years of age.
Chou, a US citizen, grew up in Taiwan after his family was forced out of mainland China when the communists took control, authorities said.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison without parole.