The suspect in a church shooting in Orange County that left one dead and five others injured now faces dozens of federal hate crimes, reports the Voice of America.
Authorities suspect David Chou was motivated in the attack one year ago by his hatred for Taiwan.
Reuters reports that investigators concluded he methodically planned the shooting at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California, killing Pastor John Cheng and wounding five others.
“Chou allegedly acted because of the victims’ national origin and religion, and he intentionally obstructed the victims’ religious exercise,” the Justice Department said in a statement when announcing the grand jury decision.
According to ABC, he now faces nearly 100 federal charges, including hate charges. He allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic handgun into a lunch crowd at the church.
He faces 45 counts of obstructing religious practices by force, and 45 additional counts of attacking his victims because of their perceived Taiwanese heritage. The grand jury also indicted him for eight more counts related to weapons, explosives and for attempting to blow up a building.
Investigators say he also used superglue on exits to trap people inside the building and placed Molotov cocktails and ammunition around the church.
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