Texas Man Disarmed at Houston Church with Loaded Gun and 100 Rounds

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In a tense encounter at a Houston church, a security guard heroically subdued a 23-year-old Texas man armed with a loaded firearm and over 100 rounds of ammunition, preventing what could have been a tragic incident. The suspect, Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi, had previously been asked to leave the church due to an incident two months prior and was confronted by the security team after being spotted following a pastor into the bathroom and reaching for a gun in his pocket.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of vigilant security measures in places of worship, as well as the potential dangers posed by individuals with a history of concerning behavior. The quick actions of the security guard likely prevented a mass shooting or other violent attack from occurring at the church.

The details

According to court records, Mbwavi had previously been on the church's radar due to an incident two months prior, when he attempted to distribute 'concerning' flyers, leading to his removal from the premises. Given Mbwavi's history with the church, the pastor instructed the security team to keep a close watch on him. The security guard noticed Mbwavi wearing a backpack and following a pastor into the bathroom, then walking in and out multiple times before disappearing into the crowd. Another pastor confronted Mbwavi, and while the two were speaking, the security guard noticed Mbwavi holding the grip of a pistol in his pocket. The guard told police he saw Mbwavi reach for the gun and tackled him, believing he was about to harm members of the security team and congregation. Mbwavi had his cellphone in his hand and was allegedly counting down, leading the guard to believe a bomb could be detonated. The security team and members of the church assisted the guard in restraining Mbwavi. While on the ground, Mbwavi allegedly shouted, 'I'm going to kill [the pastor], who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock.' Mbwavi was carrying a .22-caliber revolver loaded with six live rounds, along with more than 100 additional rounds in his backpack, according to court documents.

• The incident occurred on March 15 at the Eden Church, which hosts its Sunday morning services at the Post Entertainment Center located in downtown Houston.
• Mbwavi had previously been asked to leave the church two months prior after attempting to distribute 'concerning' flyers.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Mbwavi is currently facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on a $500,000 bond. The church and local authorities will likely continue to investigate the incident and Mbwavi's potential motives.