The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)

Suspect charged in deadly church shooting

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The man accused of opening fire on a Taiwanese church congregati­on in California was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder for what a prosecutor called an effort to “execute” as many people as possible.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer also announced that David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas faces enhancemen­ts for “lying in wait” and use of a firearm, as well as four counts of possessing destructiv­e devices with intent to kill or harm.

“We typically think of the person who hides in the bushes,” Spitzer said. “This case is about the person concealing themselves in plain view.”

Arraignmen­t was expected Tuesday afternoon. Spitzer said he expected that public defenders will be appointed to represent Chou.

Authoritie­s have said Chou - a U.S. citizen who authoritie­s say grew up in Taiwan - was motivated by hatred of Taiwanese people. A federal hate crimes investigat­ion is also ongoing.

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