(Washington) A resident of the US state of Montana has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for firing shots at the home of a lesbian in an attempt to drive out all gay residents of his town, the authorities announced on Wednesday. local authorities.
In February, John Howald, 46, was found guilty by a federal jury of hate crimes and firearms offenses after a four-day trial.
“Howald set out to rid the city of all of its LGBTQ+ residents by killing them,” Assistant Justice Secretary for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke said.
“He fired shots at the home of a lesbian resident, nearly killing her, hoping to inspire similar attacks across the country,” she added in a statement.
Howald, who was armed with two assault rifles and other firearms during his March 2020 tantrum, then sought out other members of the lesbian, queer and gay community in Basin, a small community in center of this Northwestern US state, according to the Justice Department.
“Only the heroic acts of residents and law enforcement, coupled with a good deal of luck, prevented a targeted shooting,” said prosecutor Jesse Laslovich.
Judge Brian Morris sentenced him on Tuesday to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of probation.