Current:Home > InvestPolice say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia -RiskWatch
Police say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia
View
Date:2025-04-12 16:58:26
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! (5264)
Related
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Gisele Bündchen’s Mother Vania Nonnenmacher Dead at 75 After Cancer Battle
- What is ECOWAS and why have 3 coup-hit nations quit the West Africa bloc?
- Key points from AP analysis of Trump’s New York civil fraud case
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Jane Pauley on the authenticity of Charles Osgood
- Zebras and camels rescued from trailer fire in Indiana
- Get $504 Worth of Anti-Aging Skincare for $88 and Ditch Wrinkles— Dr. Dennis Gross, EltaMD, Obaji & More
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Document spells out allegations against 12 UN employees Israel says participated in Hamas attack
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- South Carolina town mayor is killed in a car crash
- The Super Bowl is set: Mahomes and the Chiefs will face Purdy and the 49ers
- USA Hockey will mandate neck laceration protection for players under 18 effective Aug. 1
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- North Korean cruise missile tests add to country’s provocative start to 2024
- Trial set to begin for 2 accused of killing Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay over 20 years ago
- Fans of This Hydrating Face Mask Include Me, Sydney Sweeney, and the Shoppers Who Buy 1 Every 12 Seconds
Recommendation
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
Morpheus8 Review: Breaking Down Kim Kardashian's Go-To Skin-Tightening Treatment
U.S. pauses UNRWA funding as U.N. agency probes Israel's claim that staffers participated in Oct. 7 Hamas attack
2 are in custody in Mississippi after baby girl is found abandoned behind dumpsters
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Inter Miami vs. Al-Hilal live updates: How to watch Messi in Saudi Arabia
Nelly Korda defeats Lydia Ko in sudden-death playoff to capture LPGA Drive On Championship
Let's do this again, shall we? Chiefs, 49ers running it back in Super Bowl 58