Current:Home > ContactPolice say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia -EquityExchange
Police say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia
EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-08 15:28:04
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! (63892)
Related
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- New York’s high court orders new congressional maps as Democrats move to retake control of US House
- Fashionable and utilitarian, the fanny pack rises again. What's behind the renaissance?
- New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is expected to endorse Nikki Haley
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Can a potential employer give minors drug test without parental consent? Ask HR
- Trump's defense concludes its case in New York fraud trial
- Semi-trailer driver dies after rig crashes into 2 others at Indiana toll plaza
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Zara says it regrets ad that critics said resembled images from Gaza
Ranking
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Chargers QB Justin Herbert will miss rest of season after undergoing surgery on broken finger
- Wall Street calls them 'the Magnificent 7': They're the reason why stocks are surging
- How rich is Harvard? It's bigger than the economies of 120 nations.
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Guy Fieri talks Super Bowl party, his son's 'quick engagement' and Bobby Flay's texts
- 'This is completely serious': MoonPie launches ad campaign targeting extraterrestrials
- New York’s high court orders new congressional maps as Democrats move to retake control of US House
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Suicide attacker used 264 pounds of explosives to target police station in Pakistan, killing 23
US to spend $700M on new embassy in Ireland, breaks ground on new embassy in Saudi Arabia
Biden to meet in-person Wednesday with families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Most populous New Mexico county resumes sheriff’s helicopter operations, months after deadly crash
ExxonMobil says it will stay in Guyana for the long term despite territorial dispute with Venezuela
Fashionable and utilitarian, the fanny pack rises again. What's behind the renaissance?