He had spent months planning to kidnap and kill a gay man he would meet online. His victim survived -- and later spoke publicly about the night that nearly killed him.
The Plan
In 2020, Chance Seneca, then 21, of Louisiana, began planning to find and kill gay men after developing what the U.S. Department of Justice described as a fascination with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's crimes. He arranged to meet a man, identified in DOJ statements as "H.W.," through the dating app Grindr.
The Attack
Seneca took H.W. to a secluded house, restrained him, and threatened him with a gun before making multiple attempts on his life. He left the scene believing H.W. was dead. H.W. survived and later described the attack to local media, recalling the moment a cord tightened around his throat before he lost consciousness. He regained consciousness in a hospital, with lasting scars from the assault.
The Confession
When arrested and questioned, Seneca told police he had disturbing fantasies about killing gay men, modeled in part on Dahmer's crimes, and admitted he had intended to continue until he was caught or killed. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, which was involved in the prosecution, called Seneca's decision to specifically target gay men "a disturbing reminder of the unique prejudices and dangers facing the LGBTQ+ community today."
Sentencing
Seneca was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison. He separately faces a pending state charge of attempted second-degree murder.
FAQ
Did the victim survive?
Yes. H.W. survived the attack and has spoken publicly about his experience and recovery.
What sentence did Chance Seneca receive?
45 years in federal prison, with a separate state charge still pending.
Was this classified as a hate crime?
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division was involved in the case given the evidence that Seneca specifically targeted gay men.