Armed Man Claiming to be ‘Prophet’ Arrested at Texas Church with Note on Phone to ‘Kill’

A 23-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault following a disturbing incident at a church in Houston, Texas, where he allegedly threatened a pastor while armed. Emmanuel Ashono Mbwavi is accused of entering the Eden Church on March 15 with a loaded revolver and an extensive supply of ammunition.

The allegations against Mbwavi arose when a member of the church’s security team, identified as Fernando Romo, recognised him from a previous incident. Romo had asked Mbwavi to leave the church because he had distributed concerning flyers to attendees on an earlier occasion. His recollection of Mbwavi’s previous behaviour heightened his awareness of the potential threat on this occasion.

As Pastor Jared Darby addressed the congregation, Romo noticed Mbwavi appearing to conceal a weapon in his pocket and an ominous bulge suggesting the presence of a firearm. Fearing for the safety of the pastor and other churchgoers, Romo decided to take action. At a critical moment, he witnessed Mbwavi attempting to pull the firearm from his pocket and swiftly tackled him to the ground.

During the struggle, the situation escalated alarmingly when Mbwavi reportedly began to count down, leading Romo to suspect that he might be attempting to detonate a bomb. According to the police complaint, Mbwavi was also pressing buttons on his cellphone while grappling with Romo. The security team member acted on impulse, fearing for his life and those around him.

While on the ground, Mbwavi allegedly declared, “I’m gonna kill Jared, who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock.” This alarming statement added a layer of notoriety to his already troubling actions. Given the serious nature of the situation, Romo believed that Mbwavi could be trying to initiate something catastrophic within the backpack he carried.

Once subdued, law enforcement arrived to investigate. Officers discovered a .22 calibre revolver loaded with six live rounds and around 100 additional rounds of ammunition stored in Mbwavi’s backpack. Moreover, investigators uncovered a memo on his phone containing a chilling message: “Kill Jared Darby in downstairs restroom with bag.” This memo included details possibly linked to a vehicle owned by Mbwavi, raising further concerns about his intentions.

Pastor Abraham Guajardo, another church member, confirmed to investigators that Mbwavi had been previously banned from the church due to erratic behaviour and had attempted to engage in inappropriate personal conversations with congregants before the incident. Guajardo noted that Romo’s quick thinking and decisive actions may have preserved lives during this tense confrontation.

Surveillance footage later reviewed by investigators allegedly showed Mbwavi mingling among worshippers with what appeared to be a gun concealed in his pocket, corroborating Romo’s suspicions. Following the incident, Mbwavi was initially arrested for unlawfully carrying a weapon. However, in light of the new evidence and threatening behaviour, he now faces aggravated assault charges.

As part of the legal proceedings, prosecutors have requested a bond of $50,000, citing our concerns regarding the nature of the threat and stating that Mbwavi has previously failed to comply with court appearances in unrelated matters.

This alarming case has captivated the community and raised serious questions about security and safety within places of worship. The Eden Church congregation is now left grappling with the consequences of this incident, reflecting on how rapidly a sanctuary can transform into a scene of potential violence. In an environment meant for solace and spiritual growth, the events of March 15 serve as a grim reminder of the unpredictable nature of the world today.