Current:Home > reviewsPolice say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia -Zenith Money Vision
Police say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia
View
Date:2025-04-15 01:38:27
A Virginia man was arrested at a church after allegedly being found inside with a loaded semi-automatic pistol with an additional magazine, a folding knife and a folding "credit card"-style knife, according to police.
Fairfax County police arrested 35-year-old Rui Jiang after becoming tipped off by a Maryland woman who called Anne Arundel Police to report that Jiang allegedly made suspicious posts that inlcuded "vague threats" on Instagram, according to the police report.
Fairfax Police Chief Kevin Davis said, "This was a thwarted diabolical plot to kill churchgoers in Haymarket, Virginia, and local law enforcement stopped it.”
MORE: 10 dead, 10 wounded in mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, with suspect found dead
Anne Arundel Police alerted Fairfax Couty police that Jiang allegedly made threats against the Park Valley Church in Haymarket, Virginia,
"In the postings, vague threats of violence were made, some of which included images of a location later determined to be Park Valley Church," Prince William County police said.
Police were able to quickly locate Jiang's assumed residence in Falls Church, Virginia, but found he wasn't home, according to the police report.
As the investigation continued, Fairfax County police contacted Prince William County police and an off-duty, uniformed Prince William County police officer who was working an assignment at the Park Valley Church located the car outside, police said.
Police at the church identified a suspicious person who they later identified as Jiang. He was detained after entering the building through a separate door.
No one was injured during the incident however, Fairfax County Police say they later discovered Jiang's "disturbing" "kill manifesto," at his home. However, police did not describe what was found in the alleged document.
Jiang was charged with threats of bodily harm and carrying a dangerous weapon in a place of religious worship.
Jiang's bond hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning, it wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment.
Prince William County police have asked anyone with information leading up to this incident, please call 703-792-7000.
veryGood! (95)
Related
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Ranking
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Recommendation
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Average rate on 30
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture