Las Vegas man charged in shooting at Chinese consulate
A 67-year-old Las Vegas man was charged Monday with assault with a semiautomatic firearm and other violations for allegedly shooting at the Chinese consulate in Koreatown, authorities said.
Jeff Baoliang Zhang allegedly fired his gun nine times Thursday toward a guard at the consulate in the 400 block of Shatto Place, which dozens of people visit daily to obtain visas.
Officials with the Los Angeles Police Department said Zhang was with a group of protesters who had gathered outside the consulate when he got into an argument with a security guard, who had reportedly taken a sign from him and tossed it in the trash.
Zhang was arrested Thursday afternoon when he surrendered to authorities. He was charged with one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, a 9-mm Smith and Wesson handgun, and shooting at an inhabited dwelling, with an allegation that he personally used a firearm, said Deputy Dist. Atty. John Gilligan.
Prosecutors will ask that Zhang be held without bail. He faces a possible 20 years in prison.
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--Richard Winton
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