Current:Home > ScamsPolice say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia -FundGuru
Police say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia
View
Date:2025-04-27 16:09:32
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! (33)
Related
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- 'Unless you've been through it, you can't understand': Helene recovery continues in NC
- Harris won’t say how she voted on California measure that would reverse criminal justice reforms
- Jury convicts former Kentucky officer of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during deadly raid
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Predicting the CFP rankings: How will committee handle Ohio State, Georgia, Penn State?
- CeeDee Lamb injury update: Cowboys WR exits vs. Falcons with shoulder injury
- Do high ticket prices for games affect sports fan behavior? Experts weigh in.
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Allow Ariana Grande to Bewitch You With Glinda-Inspired Look at Wicked Premiere in Australia
Ranking
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Florida’s convicted killer clown released from prison for the murder of her husband’s then-wife
- 2 Ohio officers charged with reckless homicide in death of man in custody after crash arrest
- Chloë Grace Moretz shares she is a 'gay woman' in Kamala Harris endorsement
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- True crime’s popularity brings real change for defendants and society. It’s not all good
- ‘Womb to Tomb’: Can Anti-Abortion Advocates Find Common Ground With the Climate Movement?
- 'Taylor is thinking about you,' Andrea Swift tells 11-year-old with viral costume
Recommendation
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Hindered Wildfire Responses, Costlier Agriculture Likely If Trump Dismantles NOAA, Experts Warn
Pennsylvania Lags Many Other States in Adoption of Renewable Energy, Report Says
Allow Ariana Grande to Bewitch You With Glinda-Inspired Look at Wicked Premiere in Australia
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
'Trump Alleged Shooter' sends letter to Palm Beach Post
Harris and Trump will both make a furious last-day push before Election Day
Takeaways from AP’s report on how immigration transformed a Minnesota farm town