Feds Charge Virginia Man With Plot to Kill Churchgoers

The U.S. Department of Justice in Washington on June 20, 2023. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a Virginia man, alleging he plotted and took steps to kill congregants at a church in Park Valley in September.

Rui Jiang, 35, of Falls Church, was charged last month in a federal complaint alleging he posted online threats against church congregants last fall. On Wednesday, federal prosecutors secured a new indictment, under a new federal case number, alleging Mr. Jiang not only threatened churchgoers but that his threats also included an attempt to kill.

In a Thursday press statement, the U.S. Department of Justice alleged Mr. Jiang began posting online threats against the Park Valley Church on the evening of Sept. 23, 2023. The DOJ went on to state police began searching for Mr. Jiang on the morning of Sept. 24, and found him near the front entrance to the Park Valley Church while its Sunday services were underway.

Mr. Jiang was reportedly armed with a semiautomatic handgun and two loaded magazines. Mr. Jiang was arrested and, after a subsequent search of his home, law enforcement officers located five signed copies of a letter, which in part reads, “To the families of those men about to be slain—I am sorry for what I have done and about to do.”

The Virginia man is now specifically charged with attempting to obstruct people engaged in the free exercise of their religion, transmitting online threats, and use of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime.

If convicted on all counts, Mr. Jiang faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.

Suspect Letter Specifically Threatened Male Churchgoers

In their new indictment, federal prosecutors provided limited details about Mr. Jiang’s possible motives for the threatening actions he’s alleged to have committed.

“I am not here to sabotage the mission. I am here to deny the men the life God actively puts so much effort to deny me every day,” reads another excerpt of the letter law enforcement officers found at Mr. Jiang’s home following his arrest. The letter adds, “No women will be harmed.”

While not in the latest indictment, an indictment filed against Mr. Jiang under the previous federal case number provided more extensive details about his alleged letter. This prior indictment alleges Mr. Jiang identifies himself by his name, date of birth, place of birth, and his father’s name in the letter.

The letter’s author appears to focus on romantic struggles and his jealousy of male churchgoers in successful relationships.

“What I am about to do, is not personal. ... These people—soon to be victims—were not targeted in advance. I did not, and perhaps will never know, their names, their faces, their families, and what will become the luxury of their romantic relationships I am pulling them out of,” an excerpt of the letter reads.

“I apologize in advance, if any women are harmed,” another excerpt of the letter reads.

NTD News contacted a federal public defender representing Mr. Jiang, but the attorney declined to comment.

NTD News also reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Virginia’s Eastern District, which is prosecuting the case. The prosecutors did not respond by press time.

From NTD News