Rui Jiang: Cops avert mass shooting in Virginia church as they arrest armed man who posted threat on Insta
WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA: Rui Jiang, 35, of Fairfax County, was arrested on Sunday, September 24 after he posted vague threats on Instagram and then turned up at a church service carrying weapons.
He was found with a loaded handgun and other weapons at the Park Valley Church in Haymarket Virginia during the Sunday service.
Prince William County Police Department released a statement after his arrest as they conducted an investigation along with the police departments of Fairfax and Anne Arundel Counties.
Jiang was charged with threats of bodily harm and carrying a dangerous weapon to a place of worship, according to the statement.
The police said that there were no indications that Jiang threatened anyone with bodily harm, reported The New York Times.
Jiang “was determined to have a concealed weapon permit, and the firearm was not reported stolen,” stated the Prince William County Police.
When did the police start investigating Rui Jiang?
Over the weekend, a concerned citizen contacted the Anne Arundel County Police Department after spotting some of Jiang's Instagram posts. According to the authorities, several messages showed Jiang pointing a firearm at pictures of churches.
The authorities of Fairfax County, where Jiang lived, were subsequently contacted by the Anne Arundel County Police for a welfare check. When the officials arrived at his home, Jiang was not there, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a separate statement.
The investigators obtained a description of his vehicle, which was tracked by the Prince William County Police to the area near the Park Valley Church.
His vehicle was noticed by an off-duty police officer who was working a detail at the church.
The statement by the Prince William County Police Department said, "At around the same time, staff at the church were monitoring a suspicious person who was determined to be the accused who was on the premises.”
Jiang had “apparently entered the building through a separate door.”
How was Rui Jiang apprehended?
Jiang was detained by the official and staff members of the church near the entrance while the morning services took place. There was no disruption or injury suffered of any nature.
Officials found a loaded handgun, an additional magazine, a folding knife and a folding 'card-style' knife on Jiang's person, according to the statement of Prince William County Police.
Jiang is being held without bond. His court hearing is set for October 11 in Prince William County General District Court.