BASIN, MT – John Russell Howald, 46, of Basin, Montana, is facing federal consequences after a jury found him guilty of federal hate crimes and firearms charges for a brazen shooting aimed at terrorizing the LGBTQ+ community. The incident, which occurred on March 22, 2020, saw Howald open fire on the home of a woman he knew to be lesbian, while she was inside.
According to court documents, Howald embarked on a self-described mission to cleanse the town of Basin of its “lesbian and gay community.” Armed with an arsenal – three rifles and two pistols – he stalked toward his victim’s residence. He unleashed a volley of shots from an AK-style assault rifle, with several rounds penetrating the victim’s fence and striking her property. One bullet pierced a wall, ricocheted off the kitchen ceiling, and lodged in another interior wall, narrowly missing the homeowner.
But the attack didn’t stop there. The government alleges that after the shooting, Howald continued down the street, targeting other homes known to be occupied by LGBTQ+ individuals. His rampage was interrupted by concerned citizens leaving a nearby church service. Witnesses recognized Howald and approached him, overhearing his hateful declarations about eliminating the LGBTQ+ population. A pastor, unknowingly recording a sermon, captured approximately ten minutes of Howald’s venomous rant and boasts about his intentions.
“This defendant is being held accountable for attempting to violently eliminate the entire LGBTQ community in a small Montana town,” declared Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This hate crime and violent campaign targeting the LGBTQ community is a reminder of the epidemic of hate violence targeting people based on their sexual orientation.”
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana was equally blunt. “The victim in this case was targeted by the Defendant for no other reason than her sexual orientation when he fired bullets at her home while she was inside of it. There will be zero tolerance by our office in prosecuting those who commit hate crimes against our fellow Montanans.” Laslovich specifically praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut and Trial Attorney Eric N. Peffley, along with the FBI, ATF, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the Salt Lake City FBI emphasized the gravity of hate crimes. “Hate crimes are especially devastating because a vicious act against one person is an attack on an entire community,” Gibson stated. Howald now awaits sentencing on the charges of hate crime acts and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The length of his sentence remains to be determined, but the federal government has signaled its intention to pursue a significant penalty for this calculated act of terror.
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