A man from Texas, carrying a loaded firearm and over 100 bullets, was prevented from potentially causing harm at a Houston church when a security guard subdued him, according to police reports.
Court documents reveal that 23-year-old Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi faces two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The incident took place on March 15 when Mbwavi appeared at Eden Church, which conducts its Sunday services at the Post Entertainment Center in downtown Houston.
As detailed in court filings, one of the church’s security personnel identified Mbwavi. He had previously been asked to vacate the premises about two months earlier for distributing “alarming” flyers.
Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi’s arrest on March 15 followed his alleged attempt to enter the Houston church with a weapon, halted by vigilant security staff. (Photo courtesy of Houston Police Department)
Given this background, the church’s pastor instructed the security team to keep a close watch on 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.
Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi was arrested March 15 after allegedly bringing a loaded gun to a Houston church service, where he was tackled by security. (Houston Police Department)
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.”
Houston Police Department reveals the new image for future HPD patrol vehicles outside Houston Police Department Headquarters in Downtown on Monday, July 2, 2012, in Houston. (Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle)
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.
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