FBI: Neo-Nazi amassed 40,000 rounds, 18 weapons in plot to kill black and Jewish leaders
A convicted felon and alleged neo-Nazi amassed 40,000 rounds of ammunition and planned to kill black and Jewish community leaders in Detroit as part of a "hit list," WXYZ-TV reported on Thursday.
Federal authorities said this week that a search of 47-year-old federal suspect Richard Schmidt's home revealed the list and apparent plans to kill Scott Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
"You have to realize it is the world we live in," said Kaufman after being notified of the list. "There are people who don't like us and would just as soon have us not exist, but you can't dwell on it."
According to NBC News, Schmidt was indicted in January 2013 on federal charges of possessing firearms, ammunition and body armor, all of which violated his parole. Schmidt was released from prison in 2003, after 13 years of incarceration in Ohio following a homicide conviction for shooting and killing a man during a traffic stop. Schmidt also wounded two others during that attack.
Investigators then found 18 weapons inside Schmidt's home in Ohio in December 2012, including various types of shotguns and high-caliber rifles, including two different AR-15 assault weapons.
U.S. Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach, who represents Ohio's northern district, said investigators have concluded that Schmidt acquired his arsenal at gun shows or via private firearms sales, which currently do not require a background check.
"It's scary," Dettelback said about the amount of weaponry found at the suspect's home, adding that while he would say where Schmidt bought the guns if he knew, "It's that sitting here today as a senior federal law enforcement official in northern Ohio, I can't say."
Schmidt, who owns a sporting good store, is also accused of selling knock-offs of popular brands like Nike, Reebok and Louis Vuitton.
Watch WXYZ's report on Schmidt's alleged "kill list," aired Thursday night, below.