Fact Check: Man sentenced to 25 years for attempted mass shooting at Virginia church.

Fact Check: "Man sentenced to 25 years for attempted mass shooting at Virginia church"

What We Know

On June 19, 2025, Rui Jiang, a 36-year-old man from Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his attempted mass shooting at the Park Valley Church in Haymarket, Virginia. This sentencing followed his conviction for carrying a firearm during the commission of the crime and for transmitting threats over the internet. The events leading to his arrest began on September 23, 2023, when Jiang posted online threats indicating his intention to kill church congregants. The following day, he was found at the church armed with a semiautomatic handgun, two magazines of ammunition, and two knives while Sunday services were in progress (source-1, source-2).

During the investigation, authorities discovered a manifesto written by Jiang, which expressed his violent intentions. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia emphasized the importance of the freedom to worship without fear and condemned Jiang's actions as a violation of this principle (source-1, source-4).

Analysis

The claim that a man was sentenced to 25 years for an attempted mass shooting at a Virginia church is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Department of Justice issued a press release detailing Jiang's actions and the subsequent legal proceedings, which confirms the sentencing and the nature of the crime (source-1, source-2).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they come from official government communications and reputable news outlets. The U.S. Attorney's statements and the details provided in the press releases are consistent across various reports, including those from local news agencies and national platforms (source-3, source-7).

Additionally, the involvement of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and local police departments, in the investigation adds to the credibility of the reported events. The coordinated efforts of these agencies to prevent a potential tragedy underscore the seriousness of Jiang's threats and intentions (source-1, source-4).

Conclusion

The claim that Rui Jiang was sentenced to 25 years for an attempted mass shooting at a Virginia church is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms the details of the case, including Jiang's online threats, his armed presence at the church, and the subsequent legal actions taken against him.

Fact Check: Man sentenced to 25 years for attempted mass shooting at Virginia church.