A man from northern Virginia has been found guilty of committing a hate crime subsequent to his arrest at a megachurch’s Sunday service, where he was suspected of planning a mass shooting. The individual, Rui Jiang from Falls Church, was convicted on Thursday by a federal jury for attempting to obstruct the free exercise of religious beliefs, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The conviction noted that Jiang’s actions included the use of a dangerous weapon and an attempt to kill, in addition to being found guilty of transmitting online threats and a firearms violation.
Jiang reportedly had intentions of targeting members of Park Valley Church in Haymarket in September 2023. His arrest took place during a Sunday service at the church, where he was found armed with a handgun and other weapons. The intervention occurred after a former girlfriend contacted the police, alarmed by troubling social media posts Jiang had made.
Authorities revealed that Jiang had only recently joined the church, expressing anger towards God and resentment towards men whom he blamed for hindering his ability to form romantic relationships with women. In a “final letter,” Jiang stated his plan was to shoot and kill men while expressing regret for any female bystanders who could be unintentionally harmed.
Court documents show that after his arrest, Jiang admitted to being upset with God but denied any plans to commit murder. He confessed to being armed while inside the church but defended his actions by explaining that he holds a concealed carry permit and is frequently armed.
Initially, Jiang faced state charges, but federal prosecutors later assumed responsibility for the case. Court proceedings were temporarily suspended due to a competency hearing, but a judge decided in July that Jiang was fit to stand trial.
Law enforcement commended the swift interagency cooperation among at least three police departments in Maryland and Virginia, which resulted in Jiang’s arrest before any violence could occur. Additionally, the church’s security personnel had become suspicious of Jiang’s unusual behavior and began to question him.
Jiang is looking at a minimum sentence of five years, with the potential for life imprisonment during his sentencing scheduled for June 18. Typically, sentences for federal offenses are less severe than the maximum limits.
The federal public defender’s office, representing Jiang, has not issued an immediate response to a request for comments as of Friday.