Houston, TX: Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi, 23, who was found by police to be armed with a handgun and over 100 rounds of ammunition, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, according to court documents.
According to Houston police, Mbwavi, who told others he was a prophet, arrived at Eden Church in downtown Houston during scheduled church services on Sunday, March 15th.
Court documents revealed that a member of the church security detail recognized Mbwavi, who was told to leave the church two months prior due to handing out "concerning" flyers.
Details of the aforementioned flyer were not available. But whatever the flyer contained was enough for church officials to ask Mbwavi to leave church property prior to this incident.
It was reported that when Mbwavi returned to the church, a pastor recognized him and asked security to follow and monitor him.
According to police, a security guard observed Mbwavi with a backpack, following another pastor around the church and into a bathroom, but then exited and walked into a large crowd, where the guard lost sight of him.
Another pastor then confronted Mbwavi and, according to court documents, a security guard noticed Mbwavi “holding the grip of a pistol in his pocket.”
The security guard, later identified as Fernando Romo, reported that he tackled Mbwavi once he saw him continuing to reach for the handgun. He told police he assumed the suspect was a threat to everyone in the church.
It was a very wise decision as investigators later found information in Mbwavi’s cell phone, allegedly containing the chilling message, “Kill Jared Darby in the downstairs restroom with a bag.”
Once tackled to the ground, other members of the church and the arriving security guard officers jumped on the suspect to gain physical control of Mbwavi. As he lay on the ground, under restraint from others, he allegedly began counting down, leading others to believe he was going to detonate a bomb. It was also reported that Mbwavi had his cellphone in his hand, pressing the screen during the struggle.
He then allegedly shouted, "I am going to kill [the pastor], who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock."
According to court documents, another church member, Pastor Abraham Guajardo told authorities that Mbwavi was already removed from the church earlier that day, but allegedly returned with the backpack and handgun. Guarjardo credited Romo for saving his life and the lives of others in the church.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed the suspect walking among others in the church with his hand in his pocket, holding an item that appeared to be a handgun.
Houston police recovered a loaded .22-caliber revolver and an additional 100 rounds of ammunition in his backpack, according to documents.
Mbwavi was initially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, but then had the charge upgraded by the prosecution to aggravated assault. Prosecutors asked for a $500,000 bond to be set.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
According to Houston police, Mbwavi, who told others he was a prophet, arrived at Eden Church in downtown Houston during scheduled church services on Sunday, March 15th.
Court documents revealed that a member of the church security detail recognized Mbwavi, who was told to leave the church two months prior due to handing out "concerning" flyers.
Details of the aforementioned flyer were not available. But whatever the flyer contained was enough for church officials to ask Mbwavi to leave church property prior to this incident.
It was reported that when Mbwavi returned to the church, a pastor recognized him and asked security to follow and monitor him.
According to police, a security guard observed Mbwavi with a backpack, following another pastor around the church and into a bathroom, but then exited and walked into a large crowd, where the guard lost sight of him.
Another pastor then confronted Mbwavi and, according to court documents, a security guard noticed Mbwavi “holding the grip of a pistol in his pocket.”
The security guard, later identified as Fernando Romo, reported that he tackled Mbwavi once he saw him continuing to reach for the handgun. He told police he assumed the suspect was a threat to everyone in the church.
It was a very wise decision as investigators later found information in Mbwavi’s cell phone, allegedly containing the chilling message, “Kill Jared Darby in the downstairs restroom with a bag.”
Once tackled to the ground, other members of the church and the arriving security guard officers jumped on the suspect to gain physical control of Mbwavi. As he lay on the ground, under restraint from others, he allegedly began counting down, leading others to believe he was going to detonate a bomb. It was also reported that Mbwavi had his cellphone in his hand, pressing the screen during the struggle.
He then allegedly shouted, "I am going to kill [the pastor], who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock."
According to court documents, another church member, Pastor Abraham Guajardo told authorities that Mbwavi was already removed from the church earlier that day, but allegedly returned with the backpack and handgun. Guarjardo credited Romo for saving his life and the lives of others in the church.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed the suspect walking among others in the church with his hand in his pocket, holding an item that appeared to be a handgun.
Houston police recovered a loaded .22-caliber revolver and an additional 100 rounds of ammunition in his backpack, according to documents.
Mbwavi was initially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, but then had the charge upgraded by the prosecution to aggravated assault. Prosecutors asked for a $500,000 bond to be set.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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