{"id":2164,"date":"2023-09-27T21:42:08","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T21:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/27\/man-arrested-by-police-for-bringing-gun-and-2-knives-to-church-following-threats\/"},"modified":"2023-09-27T21:42:08","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T21:42:08","slug":"man-arrested-by-police-for-bringing-gun-and-2-knives-to-church-following-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/27\/man-arrested-by-police-for-bringing-gun-and-2-knives-to-church-following-threats\/","title":{"rendered":"Man arrested by police for bringing gun and 2 knives to church following threats"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The mugshot of Rui Jiang, a 35-year-old man who was arrested on September 24, 2023, after trying to bring weapons to a church that he had made threats against online. <\/span> | Facebook\/Prince William County Police Department<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A man who made online threats against a Virginia congregation has been arrested after he was discovered allegedly trying to enter the church with weapons during a worship service.<\/p>\n

Rui Jiang, a 35-year-old resident of Falls Church, was arrested Sunday outside Park Valley Church in Haymarket, according to a Prince William County Police Department press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Prince William authorities worked with the Fairfax County Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland to coordinate their efforts.<\/p>\n

According to authorities, Jiang had made \u201cvague threats of violence\u201d on Instagram that included images of Park Valley Church, which a person residing in Maryland had made them aware of early Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

An off-duty police officer who was working an assignment at the church discovered Jiang\u2019s vehicle at the church, while others in the congregation noticed him on the property.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe off-duty officer and church staff coordinated and detained the accused near the entrance without incident,\u201d stated Prince William police. \u201cThe accused apparently entered the building through a separate door and had been inside the location prior to being stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n

When detained, Jiang had a loaded handgun, an extra ammunition magazine, and two knives. The firearm was reported as legally purchased and owned by the accused.<\/p>\n

Jiang has been charged with carrying a dangerous weapon to a place of worship and for making threats of bodily harm. He is being held without bond and a court date is pending.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaw enforcement credits the concerned citizen who contacted police regarding these suspicious online postings, joint law enforcement efforts from multiple police agencies, and the staff of Park Valley Church for their vigilance,\u201d stated the police.<\/p>\n

In a statement<\/a>, Fairfax County authorities explained that they and the other police departments \u201cacted swiftly\u201d and thus \u201cwere able to stop a potential active shooter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince the arrest, detectives from our Threat Assessment Management Unit have been assigned to assist with the investigation,\u201d said FCPD. \u201cTAM detectives assisted with the execution of a search warrant at Jiang\u2019s home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvidence supporting Jiang\u2019s intent to cause harm was recovered from the scene. Detectives will work with our multidisciplinary team to determine the appropriate resources for threat mitigation and management of the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a statement<\/a> posted on Facebook Tuesday, the church thanked authorities for \u201ctheir swift and courageous actions of working across state and county lines to locate the threat that took place on our campus this past Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a church that deeply cares about the welfare of those attending our Sunday services and church events, and we thank God for His hand of protection along with our safety ministry and everyone else involved that saw something that looked concerning and quickly addressed the situation,\u201d stated Park Valley Church.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love our church family and surrounding communities and will continue to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of our congregation, their families, and all seeking to know Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter <\/a> or Facebook<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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