The 98-count indictment in opposition to David Wenwei Chou, accused of opening hearth on the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods on May 15, 2022, was filed on Wednesday in US District Court in California’s central district.
Chou, now 69, “allegedly acted because of the victims’ national origin and religion, and he intentionally obstructed the victims’ religious exercise,” the US Justice Department stated.
Chou arrived at a church lunch banquet, tried to lock the doorways from the within with chains and tremendous glue after which opened hearth at aged churchgoers, officers have stated.
Chou additionally had a bag of Molotov cocktails and a bag of additional ammunition, in keeping with authorities.
Dr John Cheng, a household and sports activities medication doctor there together with his not too long ago widowed mom, charged on the man and was fatally shot.
His efforts precipitated the gun to jam, authorities stated.
Cheng, 52, was pronounced lifeless on the church, and authorities praised him as a hero for stopping additional bloodshed.
Four males aged 66, 75, 82 and 92 and an 86-year-old girl have been injured.
A pastor struck the gunman with a chair, and others hogtied the person and took not less than two handguns from him, officers stated.
CNN has sought remark from Chou’s legal professional, Jennifer Ryan.
If Chou is convicted on the federal costs, he would face the dying penalty or obtain a sentence of life in jail with out the potential for parole, in keeping with the Justice Department.
Chou already was being held in state custody awaiting trial on state felony costs, the Justice Department stated.
He was charged final 12 months in state courtroom with counts together with felony homicide and premeditated tried homicide.
Source: www.9news.com.au
