David Chou, who was already charged with homicide and different counts for final month’s California church taking pictures, now faces hate crimes. The previous Las Vegas safety guard killed one individual and injured 5 others.
Information of the extra cost was introduced Friday by prosecutors in Orange County California. He additionally was beforehand charged with 5 counts of tried homicide. Different prices embody 4 counts of possession of an explosive gadget, mendacity in wait, and private discharge of a firearm inflicting demise.
If convicted on all counts, Chou might face execution, the Los Angeles Instances reported. He stays behind bars with out bail. Earlier this month, he appeared in Orange County Superior Court docket.
Superior Court docket Decide Cynthia Herrera delayed his arraignment till Aug. 19. He has but to enter a plea on the costs.
Hate Crime Defined
The hate crime prices require prosecutors show the defendant has sure motivations. When Chou allegedly killed Dr. John Cheng, 52, within the church in the course of the Could 15 taking pictures, it was motivated by race, coloration, faith, nationality, or nation of origin, the Instances reported, primarily based on statements by prosecutors. The taking pictures victims have been principally Asian and principally of Taiwanese descent, the Instances added.
The shootings additionally have been a “politically motivated hate incident,” in keeping with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. Chou “particularly focused the Taiwanese neighborhood,” authorities claimed.
Chou doesn’t consider Taiwan ought to stay as an unbiased nation from China, authorities have revealed. Chou grew up in Taiwan, the Instances added.
The taking pictures spree came about throughout a Taiwanese Presbyterian church luncheon held in Geneva Presbyterian Church, positioned in Laguna Woods, Calif.
The Taiwanese congregation reportedly is in favor of Taiwanese independence. Companies on the church used a Taiwanese dialect in liturgy, as a substitute of the Mandarin Chinese language dialect, the Instances added.
Chou was armed with two 9-millimeter handguns, extra ammo, and 4 Molotov cocktail-type explosives in the course of the assault, the report provides. He chained doorways on the church.
When the taking pictures came about, Cheng and others on the lunch fought again. One individual used a chair to subdue Chou. Chou additionally was tied with {an electrical} wire till police arrived.
Ties to Las Vegas
Chou was as soon as a safety guard on the Las Vegas Strip, KSNV, an area TV station reported. It was not instantly identified for certain the place he labored on the most important playing thoroughfare.
One supply informed the Instances he labored for a corporation that offered safety on the Sands and Venetian casinos.
He possessed a Nevada safety guard’s license, reviews revealed. He labored for 5 safety corporations in Nevada between 2014 and 2021, in keeping with a doc printed by The Reporter Instances.
Chou as soon as co-owned the condo constructing the place he lived, positioned close to Twain Avenue and Decatur Boulevard, in keeping with the Las Vegas Evaluate-Journal. He later bought it. Chou might have been dwelling in his automotive in latest months, KSNV reported.