'Vile and heinous': Michigan man admits to planning mass shootings targeting gay people

OWOSSO, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Michigan man pleaded guilty this week after plotting to shoot and kill gay people, authorities said.

Mack Davis, 22, of Owosso, admitted that he was planning shootings at a political party headquarters and bar because he associated those locations with LGBTQ+ people.

Plotting the mass shooting

According to court documents, Davis spent nearly a year researching mass killings, posting about those murders, and paying tribute to the people who committed them. He also wrote about these killings in journals and on objects inside his home as he started planning his own mass killing.

His plans included making a list of the tactical gear and weapons he had, along with what he would need to commit the murders. This planning started around July 2023, and by this June, authorities say Davis had crossed off everything on his list.

Federal authorities said Davis possessed two firearms, magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a crossbow and arrows, assorted bomb-making parts, smoke grenades, tactical gear and clothing, and several knives, including one with "f***** killer" inscribed on it. These items were found during a search of his home.

Davis also survielled the two locations after posting on social media that "location 1," the political party office, was "filled with far-left liberal, F***** scum." He also wrote that the shooting would continue to "location 2," which he referred to as "a F***** bar." He also allegedly posted the results of his surveillance.

"This defendant amassed an arsenal of firearms, rounds of ammunition, and bombmaking parts that he intended to use to carry out the mass killing of gay people. This kind of vile and heinous hate-fueled violence, intended to target innocent people based on their sexual orientation, runs contrary to our values as Americans," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Gay neighbors targeted

While planning the shootings, authorities say Davis also targeted his gay neighbors by spray-painting a slur on their vehicles.

A few days later, Davis shot around 60 bullets into the properties of several of his neighbors while allegedly test-firing a short-barreled rifle. Around 60 bullets were fired, and hit several vehicles, including those belonging to the neighbors targeted with slurs.

Once police confirmed the gunfire came from Davis' home, they searched his house and found his writings about mass shooters and his plans to commit a mass shooting.

According to court documents, Davis admitted to vandalizing his neighbors' vehicles and possessing a short-barrel rifle that he modified, but he denied planning a mass shooting.

He was arrested by Owosso police before being transferred to federal custody.

Davis faces up to life in prison.