Current:Home > InvestPolice say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia -WealthGrow Network
Police say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia
View
Date:2025-04-14 07:44:32
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! (897)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Police investigating shooting outside Drake’s mansion that left security guard wounded
- Social Security benefits could be cut in 2035, one year later than previously forecast
- Hilary Duff welcomes fourth child with husband Matthew Koma, shares candid photos
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Katy Perry and Rihanna didn’t attend the Met Gala. But AI-generated images still fooled fans
- Khloe Kardashian Had Tristan Thompson Take Paternity Tests After Fearing Rob Kardashian Donated Sperm
- Inside the courtroom where Trump was forced to listen to Stormy Daniels
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Here is what Stormy Daniels testified happened between her and Donald Trump
Ranking
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Bits and Pieces of Whoopi Goldberg
- Justin Timberlake Reacts to Jessica Biel’s Over-the-Top Met Gala Gown
- Colorado supermarket shooter was sane at the time of the attack, state experts say
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Chicago Tribune, other major newspapers accuse artificial intelligence companies of stealing content
- Biden heads to Wisconsin to laud a new Microsoft facility, meet voters — and troll Trump
- Judges say they’ll draw new Louisiana election map if lawmakers don’t by June 3
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Chicago Tribune, other major newspapers accuse artificial intelligence companies of stealing content
Rep. Victoria Spartz projected to win Indiana Republican primary
Hamas says it approves of Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal, but Israel says plan has significant gaps
Average rate on 30
How Phoebe Dynevor Made Fashion History at the 2024 Met Gala
Americans are reluctantly spending $500 a year tipping, a new study says.
Reggie Miller warns Knicks fans ahead of MSG return: 'The Boogeyman is coming'