Gunman Sparks Chaos at Houston Church Service

Suspect claimed to be a 'prophet' and threatened to kill pastor

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:25pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a loaded handgun magazine against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, gritty, and investigative nature of the crime scene evidence.A chilling cache of ammunition found on the suspect highlights the deadly threat posed to a crowded church service.Houston Today

A 23-year-old man named Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi was arrested at a church in Houston, Texas after he entered the building during a service armed with a loaded handgun and over 100 rounds of ammunition. Mbwavi, who had previously been asked to leave the church, allegedly threatened to kill a pastor and began counting down, leading others to believe he might detonate a bomb. He was tackled by a security guard and restrained by other church members until police arrived.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing concerns about gun violence and security threats at places of worship, which have become increasingly common targets for attacks in recent years. The suspect's alleged claims of being a 'prophet' and desire to target a pastor also raise questions about the potential role of mental health and extremist ideologies in such cases.

The details

According to court documents, Mbwavi arrived at Eden Church in downtown Houston during a scheduled service on March 15th. A church security guard recognized Mbwavi and knew he had been asked to leave the church two months earlier due to distributing 'concerning' flyers. When Mbwavi returned, a pastor spotted him and asked security to monitor him. The security guard then saw Mbwavi following another pastor into a bathroom while carrying a backpack. Mbwavi later emerged and walked into a crowd, at which point the guard lost sight of him. Another pastor then confronted Mbwavi and the security guard noticed he was reaching for a gun in his pocket. The guard tackled Mbwavi, who was later found to be carrying a loaded .22-caliber revolver and over 100 additional rounds of ammunition in his backpack.

  • On March 15, 2026, Mbwavi entered the church during a scheduled service.
  • Two months prior to the incident, Mbwavi had been asked to leave the church for distributing 'concerning' flyers.

The players

Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi

A 23-year-old man who entered the church armed with a handgun and ammunition, claiming to be a 'prophet' and threatening to kill a pastor.

Fernando Romo

A security guard at the church who tackled Mbwavi after seeing him reach for a gun in his pocket.

Jared Darby

A pastor at the church who Mbwavi allegedly planned to kill, according to information found on Mbwavi's phone.

Abraham Guajardo

A pastor at the church who said Mbwavi had been removed from the church earlier that day, but had returned with the backpack and handgun.

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What they’re saying

“I am going to kill [the pastor], who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock.”

— Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi

“Mbwavi was already removed from the church earlier that day, but allegedly returned with the backpack and handgun.”

— Abraham Guajardo, Pastor

“Romo credited for saving his life and the lives of others in the church.”

— Abraham Guajardo, Pastor

What’s next

Prosecutors have asked for a $500,000 bond to be set for Mbwavi, who was initially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon but later had the charge upgraded to aggravated assault.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges churches face in balancing security and accessibility, as well as the need for robust threat assessment and active shooter response training to protect congregations from potential violence.