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In a tense encounter at a Houston church, a security guard heroically subdued a Texas man armed with a loaded firearm and over 100 rounds of ammunition, preventing what could have been a tragic incident. According to police reports, 23-year-old Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The unsettling event unfolded on March 15 at Eden Church, which hosts its Sunday morning services at the Post Entertainment Center located in downtown Houston. Court records reveal that 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 took precautionary measures by instructing the security team to keep a close watch on him. Their vigilance proved crucial in averting a potential disaster, as the quick-thinking security guard acted decisively to tackle Mbwavi before he could cause harm.
According to court documents, a member of the church’s security team recognized Mbwavi, who had been asked to leave the property roughly two months earlier after he tried handing out “concerning” flyers.
Based on that history, the church’s pastor asked the security team to monitor Mbwavi.
The security guard told police he saw Mbwavi wearing a backpack and following a pastor into the bathroom, then walking in and out multiple times before disappearing into the crowd.
According to court documents, 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’s cellphone was allegedly open to a notes application containing information about killing the church’s pastor.
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.