Washington, D.C.–A federal court in Louisville, Kentucky, unsealed an indictment Thursday charging a Louisville man for interfering with a federally protected right, and using and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence by shooting at and attempting to kill a candidate for elective office, the U.S. Justice Department said.
According to court documents, Quintez O. Brown, 21, an activist in Louisville, discharged a firearm on February 14 in an attempt to interfere with Craig Greenberg’s mayoral campaign in Louisville and to intimidate him from campaigning as a candidate for mayor in the Louisville primary election.
Brown made an initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Colin Lindsay of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The initial appearance will continue on Friday.
Brown is accused of firing the weapon in a doorway while Greenberg met with his staff at his campaign headquarters. They took shelter and blocked the door with the office furniture. The staff was not injured in the shooting. Greenberg’s sweater was grazed by a bullet.
Greenberg, a Democrat, launched a television campaign that addressed the office shooting.
“This story is not one that our campaign ever wanted to tell. However, my wife Rachel and I thought it was important to share our experience with our community. Louisville has a violent crime crisis that is impacting too many families all over our city. My family and my team were recently impacted by gun violence and that impact has strengthened my resolve to help end this crisis. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported our campaign. I look forward to all of us working together to build a safer, stronger, and healthier city.”
If convicted of all charges, Brown faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
