Suspect Has Been Indicted For 98 Counts Over 2022 Mass Shooting At Church In California Orange County

The suspect of the mass shooting at church in California for killing one person and injuring five others in 2022 has been indicted with 98 counts by a grand jury on federal charges including those alleging hate crimes and obstruction of the free exercise of religious beliefs.

Suspect Has Been Indicted For 98 Counts Over 2022 Mass Shooting At Church In California Orange County (PHOTO: KRDO)

The 2022 Mass Shooting At Church In California Incident

The suspect of the 2022 mass shooting at church in Califonia Orange County was David Wenwei Chou, 69 years old is currently on a 98-count indictment by a grand jury. Exactly on May 15, 2022, Chou opened fire at the Irvine Taiwanese Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods and US District Court in California’s central district filed his indictment on Wednesday.

According to the Justice Department reported by CNN News that Chou “allegedly acted because of the victims’ national origin and religion, and he intentionally obstructed the victims’ religious exercise.”

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The Incident Of The Crime

In the incident during May 15, 2022 mass shooting at a church in Califonia Orange County, Chou attempted to lock the doors from the inside with chains and nailed shut exit doors when he arrives at the church lunch banquet. He even put super glue at the doors before launching his criminal act of firing his gun at elderly churchgoers, officials have said.

Chou also had two handguns, four Molotov cocktail-style devices, and a bag of extra ammunition, according to authorities. Furthermore,  Chou had no prior connection to the church but spent an hour with attendees before the attack, apparently to gain their trust, then closed the doors and started shooting.

Last year, the Orange County prosecutors charged  Chou with murder and attempted murder including enhancements for a hate crime and other counts. Chou pleaded not guilty to the charges but online records indicate that Chou is currently being held without bail in Orange County and is due back in court on July 14.

Chou grew up in Taiwan after his family was forced from mainland China when communists took control and he was also a U.S. citizen.

If Chou is he will be facing death penalty or life in prison without parole.