Armed Man Calling Himself Prophet Warlock Tackled at Houston Church
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Security guard tackled armed suspect before he could shoot pastor; suspect had loaded revolver, 100+ rounds, and detailed murder plan in phone notes.
- Man called himself Prophet Warlock, previously removed from church for disturbing behavior; had specific details about pastor's vehicle and intended attack location.
- Incident prompts churches nationwide to enhance security training and threat-sharing protocols while maintaining welcoming environments for congregations.
Security Team Prevents Church Shooting
A quick-thinking security guard's tackle prevented what could have been a deadly church shooting at Eden Church in downtown Houston on March 15. Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi, 23, arrived at the Sunday service armed with a loaded .22-caliber revolver and more than 100 rounds of ammunition , according to court documents.
Security team member Fernando Romo recognized Mbwavi from a previous incident and watched as he followed Pastor Jared Darby into the bathroom multiple times before disappearing into the crowd . When Romo spotted Mbwavi gripping a pistol in his pocket and attempting to draw it, he immediately tackled the suspect to prevent what appeared to be an imminent shooting .
During the struggle, Mbwavi held his cellphone and was counting down while pushing the screen, leading Romo to fear he might detonate a bomb in his backpack . The suspect shouted threats against the pastor, declaring "I'm going to kill the pastor who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock" as church members helped restrain him until police arrived.
Detailed Plot Uncovered
Investigation revealed Mbwavi's phone was open to a Notes app containing a chilling message: "Kill Jared Darby in the downstairs restroom with bag in hand," along with specific details about Pastor Darby's black Audi SUV and license plate number . The level of planning suggested this was not a spontaneous act of violence.
Mbwavi had previously been removed from Eden Church for distributing concerning flyers that disturbed congregation members . Based on this history, church leadership had specifically asked the security team to monitor him if he returned . This proactive approach proved crucial in preventing tragedy.
Mbwavi was initially charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon but prosecutors later upgraded charges to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after reviewing surveillance footage . He remains in Harris County Jail with bail set at more than $250,000 and is scheduled to appear in court on May 5 .
Churches Heighten Security Measures
This incident highlights the growing security challenges facing religious institutions across America. Eden Church, which has over 1,000 members, conducts multiple services each Sunday at the Post Entertainment Center , making crowd monitoring particularly challenging in such a public venue.
Kirk Blackim, head of security at another Houston-area church, noted the importance of sharing threat information between congregations to enhance overall community safety . Many churches have invested in professional security training and established protocols for identifying and responding to potential threats.
The swift action by Eden Church's security team demonstrates how prepared volunteers can make the difference between a thwarted plot and a national tragedy. As houses of worship balance maintaining welcoming environments with necessary security measures, this case serves as both a warning and a model for effective threat prevention. The combination of alert security personnel, clear protocols, and community cooperation proved essential in protecting hundreds of worshippers from potential harm.