A Montana man, John Howald, has been handed an 18-year prison sentence by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris after being convicted of a hate crime. Howald, aged 46 and hailing from Basin, Montana, fired an assault rifle into a woman’s home, intending to rid the town of LGBTQ residents. The incident occurred in Basin, a close-knit community consisting of approximately 200 people, located about 30 miles northeast of Butte, Montana.
Following the assault on the residence, Howald proceeded to walk through Basin, with the intent to target others he perceived as LGBTQ, according to the Justice Department. Fortunately, residents, who had become aware of Howald’s self-proclaimed anti-LGBTQ mission, swiftly intervened and managed to restrain him until law enforcement officers arrived and made the arrest.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s civil rights division remarked, “Howald set out to rid the town of all LGBTQI+ members by killing them.” The severity of the incident led to a federal jury convicting Howald of a hate crime in February, ultimately resulting in the substantial prison sentence.
The statement from the Justice Department revealed that Howald was heavily armed, carrying two assault rifles, a hunting rifle, two pistols, and multiple high-capacity magazines taped together for quick reloading. Although Howald’s lawyer was not immediately available for comment, this case sheds light on the importance of addressing hate crimes and protecting the rights and safety of LGBTQ individuals.
This incident comes at a time when the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ advocacy organization in the United States, recently declared a national state of emergency due to the surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation across various statehouses. President Joe Biden himself has warned about the alarming rise in targeted attacks against LGBTQ Americans, cautioning against the actions of those driven by ignorance and animosity.
As communities strive for inclusivity and equality, cases like John Howald’s highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ population. The conviction and sentencing serve as a reminder of the imperative to combat hate crimes, protect vulnerable communities, and promote a more accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.