Laguna Woods: Suspect Identified, Additional Details Released In Deadly Church Shooting

David Wenwei Chou, 68, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was identified as the suspected shooter who opened fire inside a church killing one person and injuring five more. Photo by Michael Weske for County News Service.

05.16.2022 | 7:00 PM | LAGUNA WOODS – Investigators revealed the identity of the suspect along with new details regarding the deadly shooting inside a church.

David Wenwei Chou, 68, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was identified as the man who opened fire at a lunch banquet being hosted by the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church on May 15, 2022 around 1:26 PM.

Investigators say Chou opened fire during the lunch banquet, striking 6 victims, including 52-year-old Dr. John Cheng, of Laguna Niguel, who heroically intervened to stop him.

The banquet was being hosted inside the Geneva Presbyterian Church where the congregation shared space to welcome home a pastor who recently returned from Taiwan, authorities said.

Investigators said they believe Chou traveled to the area the day before the attack and was attending the banquet when he secured the doors to the building with chains and poured superglue into the keyholes. Then, authorities say, Chou opened fire.

Several caches of items like ammunition and molotov cocktails were discovered stowed within the church. Preliminary findings suggest Chou may have been upset by political tensions between China and Taiwan.

Chou was being held in the Orange County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail pending a court appearance slated for May 17.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is working along side the ATF and FBI to investigate the incident.

Miles Madison

Miles started reporting breaking news in 2015 and has been providing high-quality news video and timely reports from the Orange County area ever since. Combining his experience as a seasoned photojournalist, radio operator and sleuth, Miles provides unrivaled multimedia news reports.