Texas Man Tackled at Houston Church with Loaded Gun, 100 Rounds

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A Texas man armed with a loaded gun and more than 100 rounds of ammunition was tackled by a security guard inside a Houston church before he could open fire, police said. Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi, 23, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after the incident at Eden Church.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing security concerns for places of worship, as well as the challenges churches face in balancing safety and open access. It also raises questions about mental health, extremism, and the proliferation of firearms.

The details

According to court documents, Mbwavi had previously been asked to leave the church after trying to hand out 'concerning' flyers. On March 15, a security guard recognized Mbwavi and saw him following a pastor into the bathroom and walking in and out of the crowd. The guard then noticed Mbwavi reaching for a gun in his pocket and tackled him, believing he was about to harm the congregation. Mbwavi was carrying a .22-caliber revolver loaded with six live rounds, along with more than 100 additional rounds in his backpack.

• On March 15, Mbwavi arrived at Eden Church in Houston.
• Roughly two months earlier, Mbwavi had been asked to leave the church property after trying to hand out 'concerning' flyers.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Mbwavi is currently in custody, and the case is ongoing. The church and local authorities will likely review security protocols and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.