Man Arrested Outside of Church with Handgun Charged With Attempted Shooting

A man has been charged with attempting to shoot churchgoers at a Virginia church after he allegedly posted threatening messages online and showed up on Sunday with a semi-automatic handgun and two loaded magazines.

35-year-old Rui Jiang was charged by the Department of Justice last week with attempted obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs, use and carry of a firearm during a crime of violence, and making threats.

Jiang was arrested in September 2023 outside of the Park Valley Church in Haymarket, Virginia, reportedly carrying a handgun and two loaded magazines after a member of the church told authorities about social media posts threatening violence.

“To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do. May your tears not be cried in vain, but to celebrate how your loved ones had lived,” a letter found in Jiang’s apartment read.

According to the Daily Wire, an affidavit from an FBI agent who investigated the case included several of the social media posts that raised concerns and illustrated anger toward God and the church.

The FBI reportedly spoke with police who had been alerted about the posts.

“The officer observed multiple pictures posted to the account, including one burning a Bible in a frying pan on top of a stove, one with a Bible placed on the bathroom floor, and threatening messages against a church and the government,” the FBI agent wrote in her affidavit. “There were also pictures of a silhouette target with bullet holes in it with the hashtag ‘Fk God,’ as well as pictures from inside a white vehicle parked in a church parking lot at night.”

Jiang allegedly denied that he had showed up to the church on Sunday to carry out an attack during an interview with police.

“JIANG denied going to Park Valley Church to harm anyone or himself,” the affidavit said. “He admitted that he could see how someone could view his Instagram posts and emails coupled with him showing up to the church armed with a gun as ‘scary,’ but believed it to be a misunderstanding.”