A Michigan man has pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges after planning a series of mass killings targeting gay individuals. Mack Davis, 22, confessed in federal court on Tuesday to a hate-fueled scheme that included attacks on a political party headquarters and a nearby bar in Michigan.
Federal Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Davis entered his guilty plea in federal court in Flint, Michigan. He admitted to attempting to commit a hate crime by planning mass shootings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that Davis faces a potential life sentence, with the court scheduled to determine his punishment on April 15.
Evidence Unveiled: Weapons and Writings
Prosecutors revealed that Davis had been preparing for the attacks for nearly a year, from July 2023 to June 2024. Investigators discovered a chilling array of evidence in his Owosso, Michigan, home, including firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a crossbow, bomb-making materials, and knives inscribed with anti-gay slurs.
Authorities also uncovered a journal containing writings glorifying mass killers, along with lists of weapons and tactical gear.
Targeted Locations and Vandalism
According to court documents, Davis identified a political party headquarters and a nearby bar as targets, associating both locations with LGBTQ+ individuals. On social media, he described the political office as being occupied by “far-left liberal” individuals followed by a homophobic slur.
Neighbors also became victims of Davis’ hateful actions. Vehicles in his neighborhood were vandalized, with anti-gay slurs painted on them. In June, Davis test-fired an illegal short-barreled rifle from his bedroom window, striking one of the vehicles with approximately 60 rounds.
Arrest and Federal Charges
Davis was initially arrested by local police after the shooting incident involving his neighbors’ vehicles. Following the discovery of his mass killing plans and hate-filled writings, he was transferred to federal custody.
Officials Condemn Hate-Fueled Plot
Dawn Ison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, described Davis’ plans as “chilling” and highlighted the potential devastation his actions could have caused.
“He intended to commit mass shootings at two locations — destroying countless lives and devastating our community — all because of his fanatical hatred for gay people,” Ison stated.
Defense Attorney Offers a Different Perspective
Bryan J. Sherer, Davis’ public defender, disputed parts of the prosecution’s account. He emphasized that Davis had not harmed anyone and suggested that the case was largely built on private writings discovered in his journal.
“Mr. Davis did not intentionally harm anyone despite having multiple opportunities to do so,” Sherer stated. He added that Davis came to law enforcement’s attention only after firing into unoccupied vehicles.
