A Virginia man who brought weapons onto church grounds during a Sunday service was sentenced to decades behind bars for planning a mass shooting.

Rui Jiang, 36, of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to carry out a mass shooting at Park Valley Church and making threats online, the Christian Post reported.

The case began on Sept. 23, 2023, when Jiang posted multiple violent threats on social media targeting Park Valley Church located in Haymarket, Virginia. A Maryland resident spotted the alarming content and alerted law enforcement authorities.

The next day, on Sunday, Sept. 24, an off-duty police officer discovered Jiang’s vehicle on church property. Members of the congregation, along with a church security team, apprehended him and held him until responding officers arrived.

At the time of his arrest, Jiang was found carrying a loaded and legally purchased handgun, an extra magazine of ammunition, and two knives. This discovery prompted a heightened response involving police departments from Anne Arundel, Fairfax, and Prince William counties.

Arrest Prevented Potential Mass Casualties

Law enforcement and church security acted quickly, preventing what could have become a deadly situation. Fairfax County police credited their Threat Assessment Management detectives with assisting in the investigation that followed the arrest.

A search warrant was executed at Jiang's residence in Falls Church. Investigators recovered additional evidence pointing to Jiang’s intention to inflict harm on church attendees.

In December 2023, Prince William County Police added aggravated attempted murder charges. These were tied to digital content recovered during the search, including offensive online statements and threatening images related to the church.

Federal Charges and Community Response

After his indictment in 2023, Jiang was tried in federal court. In March 2024, a jury convicted him of attempting to obstruct religious freedom, issuing internet-based threats, and a firearms offense related to his actions at the church.

U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert emphasized the gravity of the threat, noting that the right to worship without fear is fundamental in the United States. He said Jiang aimed to attack that freedom by entering a house of worship with deadly intent.

Siebert also acknowledged the role of community members and law enforcement in preventing a major tragedy. “This unspeakable act,” he said, “was only stopped thanks to the bravery of both civilians and police.”

Justice Department Vows Vigilance

Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General, said the Department of Justice remains committed to investigating and prosecuting incidents threatening religious spaces. She highlighted that the quick action of numerous individuals averted disaster.

“This was the closest of calls,” Dhillon noted. She credited a concerned citizen, regional police departments, and church security with the successful prevention of mass violence.

Fairfax County police confirmed their detectives had aided in executing the search warrant at Jiang’s home. They stated that the recovered materials substantiated the accused’s plan to carry out harm against the church and its members.

Case Highlights Importance of Public Vigilance

The case underscores the significance of early detection through public awareness and inter-agency cooperation. Authorities noted that digital content, physical evidence, and Jiang’s social media history pointed to a well-developed plan of attack.

Officials from Prince William County explained that the additional charges in December derived from the continuing analysis of evidence found at Jiang's residence. This included online content showing threatening messages directed at the church and its congregation.

Jiang's prison sentence marks the conclusion of nearly a year of investigation, prosecution, and courtroom proceedings. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious behavior to help prevent future threats against community spaces.