A Montana man received a sentence of 18 years in prison for attempting to rid his town of LGBTQI+ residents by shooting into a home and intending to target others, according to a Wednesday report from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
John Russell Howald, equipped with two assault rifles, two pistols, a hunting rifle and multiple high-capacity magazines, fired at the home of a woman “who was known within the town as lesbian,” the DOJ report reads. He walked further in the direction of the neighborhood’s other gay– and lesbian-occupied residences following the initial attack, determined to “clean” them from the community, according to the DOJ.
Montana Man Sentenced for Federal Hate and Firearms Crimes for Shooting Intended to Kill and Rid Town of LGBTQI Residents https://t.co/9fiICjKPTb
— US Attorney Montana (@USAO_MT) June 14, 2023
Local residents familiar with the perpetrator managed to stall him until a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived at the scene in downtown Basin, the press release continues. Howald pointed his rifle at the deputy before taking off into the hills, allegedly shooting at least one round as he retreated. He was arrested the following day and found to be carrying a loaded pistol and a knife. Law enforcement discovered additional firearms and ammunition in his vehicle and camper, according to the press release. (RELATED: Biden Admin Has Made Exporting ‘LGBT Ideology’ A Key Foreign Policy Priority, Report Says)
“Howald fired multiple shots into someone’s home based solely on her sexual orientation and only the heroic and brave actions of residents and law enforcement, as well as some good fortune, prevented a targeted mass shooting,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana said, according to the report. “It is the kind of conduct that has no place in Montana, which is why our office vigorously prosecuted Howald and why the justice system is holding him accountable for his actions. Our office has an unshakable commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the civil rights of all Montanans, including our LGBTQI+ friends and family members.”