Man convicted of federal hate crime after trying to kill all of the LGBTQ+ people in his town

John Russell Howald has a violent, disturbing past and now faces life in prison.

A man has been convicted of federal hate crimes and firearms charges after going on a self-described “mission” to kill all of the LGBTQ+ people in his Montana town.

46-year-old John Russell Howald fired what the Department of Justice (DOJ) said was an “AK-style assault rifle” at the home of a lesbian in his town of Basin on March 22, 2020. The woman was not harmed even though Howald fired multiple rounds while carrying two pistols and three rifles.

The DOJ said that after firing at the woman’s home, Howald continued down the street, determined to kill all the LGBTQ+ people in town.

A nearby church service had let out around the same time and those exiting, including the pastor, tried to talk Howald down. The pastor was unknowingly recording the situation with a device he was using to capture his sermons. On the recording, Howald reportedly states that…

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