Virginia Man Gets 25 Years for Church Attack Plot

Rui Jiang, 36, of Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for attempting a mass shooting at Park Valley Church in Haymarket in 2023. Jiang was convicted on charges including obstruction of religious freedom, firearms violations, and transmitting threats after posting explicit online threats and arriving at the church armed. Authorities credited the intervention of a concerned citizen, vigilant church security, and swift police action with preventing a deadly attack. Evidence showed Jiang conducted surveillance of the church prior to the planned attack and brought a handgun, knives, and bear spray. His manifesto and social media posts indicated his intent to target men in the congregation, motivated by personal grievances. Officials highlighted the importance of protecting religious freedom and commended law enforcement and community members for their actions.