A 23-year-old man, Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi, is in custody after a vigilant security guard at Houston’s Eden Church tackled him as he allegedly reached for a loaded firearm during a Sunday service. Mbwavi, who was carrying a .22-caliber revolver and more than 100 rounds of ammunition, had allegedly written notes about killing the church’s pastor and claimed to be a “prophet called Warlock”.

HOUSTON, TX — A potential mass casualty event at a downtown Houston church was averted on March 15, 2026, thanks to the quick thinking and physical intervention of a private security guard. Houston police have charged Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was intercepted inside Eden Church, which holds services at the Post Entertainment Center.

The suspect was already on the security team’s radar due to an incident two months prior, where he was asked to leave for distributing “concerning” flyers. Because of this history, the pastor requested that the security team keep a close watch on Mbwavi when he returned that Sunday morning.

The Takedown

The security guard observed Mbwavi following a pastor into the bathroom and acting suspiciously before disappearing into the crowd. When another pastor eventually confronted Mbwavi, the guard noticed the grip of a pistol protruding from the suspect’s pocket. As Mbwavi allegedly reached for the firearm while counting down on his cellphone—leading the guard to fear a potential bomb—the guard tackled him to the ground.

While being restrained by the security team and members of the congregation, Mbwavi reportedly shouted, “I’m going to kill [the pastor], who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock”.

Evidence of Intent

Police recovered a .22-caliber revolver loaded with six rounds from Mbwavi’s person, along with more than 100 additional rounds in his backpack. Furthermore, investigators found a “kill list” or notes application on his phone detailing plans to assassinate the church’s pastor.

Safety Tip: This incident is a textbook example of why “situational awareness” and a proactive security posture are vital for houses of worship. The security guard didn’t wait for a shot to be fired; he acted based on a “pre-attack indicator”—the suspect reaching for the grip of a firearm. For church security teams, the most important tool is the ability to recognize suspicious behavior before it turns into an active killer scenario. As a concealed carry holder or security member, your goal is to be “left of bang,” identifying threats in the planning or approach phase.