Falls Church Man Convicted Of Hate Crime In Attempted Church Shooting

FALLS CHURCH, VA — A Falls Church man was convicted of a hate crime this week after authorities said he posted online threats targeting a Haymarket church and later took a gun to the building while Sunday services were underway.

A jury on Thursday found Rui Jiang guilty after he was charged with attempting to obstruct the congregants of a church in the free exercise of their religious beliefs, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

Jiang also faced charges for transmitting online threats and a firearms violation. He was convicted on all counts, prosecutors said.

According to court documents, police found Jiang inside the church's front entrance on Sept. 24, 2023, after receiving a call from someone who was concerned about his online posts.

Church volunteers who were concerned about Jiang’s behavior had just approached Jiang when police arrived. Prosecutors said Jiang was armed with a semiautomatic handgun and two full magazines of ammunition. He had an additional 34 rounds of ammunition in his nearby car.

During a search of Jiang’s apartment, police found five copies of a letter, each signed by Jiang in ink, which read, “To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do (sic).”

Jiang was arrested by Prince William County Police on Sept. 24, 2023, and has remained in custody.

Jiang's sentencing is scheduled for June 18. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison.