Crime & Safety
Attempted Church Shooter In PWC Deemed Competent For Trial
A judge determined a trial will move forward for a Falls Church man who authorities suspected threatened a Haymarket church.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A Falls Church man who authorities say threatened and showed up armed at a Haymarket church will have a trial moving forward.
A judge in federal court determined Rui Jiang of Falls Church is competent for a trial to occur, the Associated Press reported. The trial is scheduled for Oct. 21.
Although a grand jury indicted Jiang in relation to threats against the Park Valley Church and its congregants in Haymarket, the judge paused the case for the competency hearing. The court documents of the hearing are sealed.
Find out what's happening in Manassasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to prosecutors, Jiang started posting threats against the church on Sept. 23, 2023. The next day, he showed up at the church. An ex-girlfriend tipped off police about Jiang's online posts and started searching for him. Officers found him at the Park Valley Church front entrance with a semiautomatic handgun, two full magazines of ammunition and two knives while Sunday church services were underway.
A search of Jiang’s apartment uncovered copies of a letter that read in part, "To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do. May your tears not be cried in vain, but to celebrate how your loved ones had lived." According to the Associated Press, Jiang "was mad at God and at men" for failed romantic relationships with women. State authorities detained and arrested Jiang the same day he showed up at the church.
Find out what's happening in Manassasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.