Fact Check: Rui Jiang's manifesto reveals intent to kill men, collateral damage to women.

Published June 20, 2025

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VERDICT

True

# Fact Check: "Rui Jiang's manifesto reveals intent to kill men, collateral damage to women." ## What We Know Rui Jiang, a 36-year-old man from Fairf...

Fact Check: "Rui Jiang's manifesto reveals intent to kill men, collateral damage to women."

What We Know

Rui Jiang, a 36-year-old man from Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempting to carry out a mass shooting at the Park Valley Church in Haymarket, Virginia. Evidence presented during his trial indicated that Jiang had posted online threats against the church, explicitly stating his intention to kill congregants. On September 24, 2023, police found Jiang armed with a semiautomatic handgun and other weapons at the church while services were underway (Virginia Man Sentenced for Attempted Church Shooting, Fairfax man sentenced for attempted church shooting).

During a search of Jiang's apartment, authorities discovered a manifesto signed by him. This document included a troubling statement: “I am here deny (sic) the love lives blessed by God to these lucky men, by taking out these men… To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do (sic)” (Virginia Man Sentenced for Attempted Church Shooting, Fairfax man sentenced for attempted church shooting). Additionally, reports indicated that Jiang had expressed anger towards men for obstructing his romantic pursuits and acknowledged that women might be "collateral damage" in his violent plans (Man accused of mass shooting attempt at Virginia church ruled competent, Man convicted of attempted mass shooting at Virginia church sentenced).

Analysis

The claim that Rui Jiang's manifesto reveals an intent to kill men, with collateral damage to women, is supported by multiple credible sources. The explicit language in Jiang's manifesto clearly indicates a targeted intent to harm men, while also expressing remorse for any unintended harm to women. This duality is significant as it highlights Jiang's motivations and mindset leading up to the planned attack.

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, primarily stemming from official statements and press releases from the U.S. Department of Justice and reputable news outlets like the New York Times and Associated Press. These sources provide detailed accounts of the events surrounding Jiang's case, including the contents of his manifesto and the legal proceedings that followed. The Justice Department's statements, in particular, emphasize the seriousness of Jiang's intentions and the potential tragedy that was averted due to law enforcement intervention (Virginia Man Sentenced for Attempted Church Shooting, Fairfax man sentenced for attempted church shooting, Man accused of mass shooting attempt at Virginia church ruled competent).

While there is a possibility of bias in media reporting, the consistency of the information across various reputable sources lends credibility to the claims made about Jiang's intentions. The focus on his manifesto and the legal ramifications of his actions further substantiate the assertion that he had a clear intent to kill men, with women as potential collateral damage.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The evidence presented, including Jiang's own words in his manifesto and the context of his actions, confirms that he intended to kill men, with women being acknowledged as collateral damage. The statements made in his manifesto are clear and unequivocal, reflecting a premeditated plan that aligns with the claim being fact-checked.

Sources

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