A Montana man was convicted of hate and firearms crimes for firing an assault rifle at a woman’s home, who identified as lesbian.
According to evidence, the defendant made it his mission to rid the town of Basin, Montana, of its lesbian and gay community. Armed with three rifles and two pistols, he approached the house of a woman that he knew identified as lesbian, and fired several rounds at the property. The woman was home at the time, but was not hit.
After firing at the first victim’s house, the defendant approached other homes of people known locally to be gay or lesbian. He walked past a church that was letting out, and was approached by several people who tried to intervene, including a pastor who was wearing a device to record his sermons. While the device was recording, the defendant admitted to the initial attack and described his intent to rid Basin of LGBTQ people. He then shot several more rounds at people in the vicinity before fleeing when law enforcement arrived.
He was arrested the next day.
The defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/montana-man-convicted-federal-hate-crimes-and-firearms-charges-shooting-intended-rid
