A former Riverside resident, Jaime Tran, has reached an agreement to plead guilty to hate crimes and firearms offenses, according to federal officials. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Tran, 29, will plead guilty to two counts of hate crimes with intent to kill and two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The plea agreement, filed on Tuesday, outlines a prison sentence of 35 to 40 years for Tran.
The community of Riverside was left on edge last year when Tran shot and wounded two Jewish men. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada expressed his shock at the “horrific acts” motivated by antisemitic beliefs and emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to prevent and punish hate crimes. Tran’s attorney has not yet provided a comment on the matter.
The plea agreement sheds light on Tran’s history of antisemitism, which escalated in the years leading up to the shooting. After making hateful statements about perceived Jewish students, Tran left dental school in 2018. Between August and December 2022, his antisemitic statements increasingly included violent language, including threats towards former classmates. Tran even distributed antisemitic propaganda via email to around two dozen former classmates, claiming that every aspect of the COVID agenda was Jewish.
Tran, who was prohibited from purchasing firearms due to previous mental health episodes, admitted to paying a third party to acquire a .380-caliber pistol and an AK-47-style semiautomatic rifle for him. The plea agreement also revealed Tran’s research into locations with a “kosher market” and his plan to shoot someone in that area.
On February 15, 2023, Tran carried out his violent intentions. He targeted a Jewish man, identified as R.H., who was wearing a yarmulke, shooting him at close range in the back as he opened his car door after leaving religious services. The following day, Tran encountered another victim, identified as G.T., also leaving religious services and wearing a yarmulke. Tran shot G.T. while he was crossing the street, with the intention to kill. Fortunately, both men survived the attacks.
Law enforcement apprehended Tran on February 17, and he has remained in custody since then. Krysti Hawkins, acting assistant director of the FBI’s L.A. field office, expressed relief that Tran’s admission to these abhorrent crimes would prevent him from targeting other members of the Jewish community.
