He’s getting what he deserves.
A 35-year-old resident of Falls Church, Rui Jiang, is now facing a new charge of attempted aggravated murder after allegedly attempting to attack a Virginia church during a worship service. The incident took place in September at Park Valley Church in Haymarket when Jiang, armed with a gun and two knives, was arrested following online threats against the congregation.
Recently, the Prince William County Police Department announced the additional charge based on continued investigations and digital evidence obtained during a search warrant executed at Jiang’s Falls Church residence. Authorities emphasized that the analysis of digital evidence, coupled with social media postings containing threatening language toward the church, indicated Jiang’s intent to cause harm, injury, and death to the congregation.
Jiang was served the attempted aggravated murder charge on Monday and is currently held at the Prince William Adult Detention Center. The new charge supplements the initial charges of carrying a dangerous weapon to a place of worship and making threats of bodily harm.
In September, Jiang’s ambiguous threats against Park Valley Church, including Instagram posts reported by a Maryland resident, prompted a swift response from law enforcement. During Sunday worship, an off-duty police officer observed Jiang’s vehicle on the church property, leading to his nonviolent detainment by the officer and church staff. Jiang was found in possession of a legally purchased handgun, an additional ammunition magazine, and two knives.
The collaborative efforts of Prince William authorities, the Fairfax County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department of Maryland played a pivotal role in averting a potential active shooter scenario. Detectives from the Threat Assessment Management Unit have been actively involved in the investigation, gathering evidence from the scene and Jiang’s residence.
In response to incidents of this nature, the United States Department of Homeland Security released a guide titled “Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities.” This guide aims to assist churches in enhancing their security measures, emphasizing the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work closely with faith-based leaders. The objective is to ensure the safety of houses of worship and congregants while maintaining open and welcoming environments and addressing security concerns.