Pastor Allegedly Shoves Elderly Woman Down Church Steps, Resulting in Severe Injuries

In a disturbing incident that has stirred the local community, a pastor in California has been arrested after allegedly shoving a church elder down a flight of cement stairs. The act of violence, which left the woman with multiple fractures, has sparked calls from congregants and community advocates for the pastor’s removal from his position.

Najee Ali, a well-known community activist affiliated with Project Islamic Hope, has taken a vocal stance against the accused pastor, Lorenz Roseman. In a recent Facebook post, Ali condemned the act, emphasizing the severity of the incident. “You could have killed her,” Ali remarked, underscoring the potential danger of the situation.

Ali’s involvement was prompted by the family of the victim, Elise McTaw, who has sought his support in seeking justice. Taking the issue to the public sphere, Ali organized a press conference to demand the pastor’s dismissal. His message was clear: “You pushed an elderly woman down the stairs, severely injuring her along with being arrested … and currently facing criminal charges,” he stated on Facebook. “We’re not going to sweep this under the rug.”

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed the arrest of Pastor Lorenz Roseman, who serves at Beulah Land Missionary Baptist Church. The incident reportedly occurred in October 2025, outside the church in Gardena, located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community remains on high alert, awaiting justice for McTaw and calling for accountability within the church leadership.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office tells Law&Crime that Pastor Lorenz Roseman, of Beulah Land Missionary Baptist Church, was arrested in October 2025 for allegedly shoving McTaw down a flight of cement steps outside the house of worship located in the city of Gardena in Los Angeles County’s South Bay area.

Roseman was charged with assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury — a felony — and released on his own recognizance, according to the DA’s office and a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime.

The alleged offense “involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, and callousness,” the complaint says.

Roseman has pleaded not guilty.

Ali describes McTaw on Facebook as a “senior citizen and longtime church elder” who was “violently pushed down a flight of church stairs.” Surveillance video posted online by Ali allegedly shows McTaw being shoved down the stairs by a male who is said to be Roseman. She allegedly suffered a broken wrist and toes from the fall.

“Following his arrest for assault … he continues to preach from the pulpit every Sunday,” Ali said. “Some Church members want him gone and question why he’s still preaching while criminal charges against him proceeds.”

Roseman told local CW affiliate KTLA in a statement that he had accused “influential members” of the Gardena church of “unethical or illegal activities” at the time of the alleged incident, but he didn’t explain what happened exactly.

“After conducting an investigation and confirming the allegations, I removed them from their positions,” Roseman alleged when asked about the case against him.

“When these individuals could not oust me through our church policies and procedures, they began to attack my character and weaponize the legal system against me,” he said.

McTaw said at the Monday press conference that she is “not the same after being hurt by somebody that you trust and love,” per KTLA.

“He does not get to put his hands on anyone,” said churchgoer Dr. Ta-Taneisha Thames. “That is not okay. He has to go.”

The DA’s office says Roseman’s scheduled to appear in court on March 30 for a preliminary hearing.