Accused Orange County Church Shooter Pleads Not Guilty In Court

LAGUNA WOODS, CA — A Las Vegas man pleaded not guilty on Friday to opening fire on a congregation at a Laguna Woods church, killing a doctor and wounding five other people, an act that authorities said was driven by a long-running hatred of Taiwanese people, the Orange County Register reported.

David Wenwei Chou, 68, pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges, as well as hate-crime enhancements, through his attorney.

According to the report, Chou "appeared confused" at times while he stood in a holding cell in a Santa Ana courtroom and listened to a Mandarin-language interpreter through a headset.

Chou is currently being held without bail, the report said. His next court date is set for Oct. 21.

If convicted on all charges, Orange County prosecutors will at some point decide whether to seek life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

County law enforcement authorities have accused Chou of targeting a May 15 Taiwanese Presbyterian Church event, according to previous Patch reports. Prosecutors alleged that Chou brought a 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol and bags filled with incendiary devices.

Chou also reportedly used padlocks, superglue and nails to seal doors in the church.

Chou spent several hours in the church before opening fire on the mostly elderly church members, prosecutors said.

Dr. John Cheng, 52, rushed at Chou in an attempt to disable the gunman, authorities said. Chou then shot the doctor twice before his gun jammed.

Law enforcement officials said that Cheng's actions gave the congregation's pastor enough time to his Chou with a chair, at which point other members of the congregation sprang into action. With their help, Chou was pinned to the ground and hogtied until deputies arrived.

To read more ongoing trial regarding the Laguna Woods Church Shooting, view the full article on the Orange County Register.

Read more about the Laguna Woods church shooting.

• Churchgoers Hogtie Gunman Who Killed 1 And Wounded 5 In Laguna Woods
• 5 Things To Know About The Laguna Woods Church Shooting
• Outpour Of Community Support In Laguna Woods After OC Church Shooting
• OC Church Shooting Motivated By 'Hatred,' Explosives Found
• Hate Crime Allegations Added In Laguna Woods Church Shooting