Current:Home > NewsPolice say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia -Capitatum
Police say they thwarted 'potential active shooter' outside church in Virginia
Rekubit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 07:17:08
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! (174)
Related
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Taking Social Media Break After Scoring Controversy
- King Charles III’s annual Christmas message from Buckingham Palace includes sustainable touches
- Suspect arrested in alleged theft of a Banksy stop sign decorated with military drones
- Key takeaways from AP’s look at the emerging wave of sports construction in the US
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Why you should watch 'Taskmaster,' the funniest TV show you've never heard of
- Are grocery stores open Christmas Day 2023? See details for Costco, Kroger, Publix, more
- Tesla recalls more than 120,000 vehicles because doors can unlatch in a crash
- 3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
- Bah, Humbug! The Worst Christmas Movies of All-Time
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
- Ole Miss football lands top player in transfer portal, former Texas A&M defensive lineman
- Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals: Every 'Home Alone' movie, definitively ranked
- EMU player sucker punches South Alabama player, ignites wild fight after 68 Ventures Bowl
- What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
- New COVID variant JN.1 surges to 44% of cases, CDC estimates — even higher in New York, New Jersey
- You've heard of Santa, maybe even Krampus, but what about the child-eating Yule Cat?
- Travis Barker and Ex Shanna Moakler Honor Beautiful Daughter Alabama Barker in 18th Birthday Tributes
Recommendation
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Feeling holiday stress? How to say 'no' and set boundaries with your family at Christmas.
A big avalanche has closed the highway on the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage
San Francisco jury finds homeless man not guilty in beating of businessman left with brain injury
Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
Which restaurants are open Christmas Eve? Hours, status of Starbucks, McDonald's, more
Polish president says he’ll veto a spending bill, in a blow to the new government of Donald Tusk
Where to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life': TV channels, showtimes, streaming info