Police say a guy from Virginia was apprehended at a church after he was allegedly discovered inside with a loaded semi-automatic pistol with an extra magazine, a folding knife, and a folding “credit card”-style knife.
According to the police report, a Maryland lady called police in Ann Arundel County, Maryland, to warn that Jiang had reportedly made suspicious Instagram posts that included “vague threats.” As a result of this tip, Fairfax County police detained 35-year-old Rui Jiang.
“This was a thwarted demonic plot to kill churchgoers in Haymarket, Virginia, and local law enforcement stopped it,” said Fairfax Police Chief Kevin Davis.
Authorities in Fairfax County, Virginia were informed by Anne Arundel police that Jiang was suspected of making threats against the Park Valley Church in Haymarket.
According to Prince William County authorities, “in the postings, generalized threats of violence were made, some of which included images of a location later identified as Park Valley Church.”
Who Is Rui Jiang?
Jiang was detained during Park Valley’s 10 a.m. session, which is the most well-attended service at the church, with around 1,000 people present, including 300 children, according to White.
Within the large church, the youngsters have their own ministry. The chief of police for Fairfax County, Kevin Davis, declared that he thought the arrest had stopped “America’s latest version of a mass killer.”
Jiang’s arrest comes at a time when houses of worship around the nation have frequently been the target of America’s epidemic of mass shootings, including shootings in 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and in 2018 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
According to White, Jiang was able to enter the church through a back entrance. Security guards noticed him and pursued him into the huge sanctuary, where he first sat in the stadium-style seating on the top level for a short while before rising and exiting through a door with the sign, “Do not enter.”
Jiang was confronted by security guards, went back to the sanctuary, went down the stairs, and emerged into the lobby, according to White. Security guards challenged him once more as Prince William County authorities arrived.
Jiang was taken outside by a county police officer, who found him to be armed, according to White. According to the police statement, he also had a folding knife and a folding “credit card” knife.
