Texas Church Service Thwarted Attack: Armed Man Claiming to Be 'Prophet Warlock' Arrested

HOUSTON — A tense confrontation at a Houston church service was defused by a vigilant security team member last month, preventing what authorities describe as a planned violent attack. Emmanuel Ashono Mbwavi, 23, now faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following the March 15 incident at Eden Church.

According to a criminal complaint, church security volunteer Fernando Romo recognized Mbwavi from a prior occasion when he had been escorted out for distributing "concerning fliers." As Pastor Jared Darby spoke with Mbwavi, Romo grew alarmed, noticing the man wore a backpack and seemed to be concealing something on his right side.

"I saw him gripping what looked like a pistol in his front pocket, trying to pull it free," Romo stated in the complaint. Acting on instinct, Romo tackled Mbwavi to the ground. During the struggle, Mbwavi allegedly began a countdown, shouting, "I’m gonna kill Jared, who is a fake prophet. I am a prophet called Warlock." Romo told investigators he feared Mbwavi was attempting to trigger an explosive device via his cellphone.

Authorities later recovered a .22 caliber revolver loaded with six rounds and approximately 100 additional rounds of ammunition from Mbwavi's backpack. A memo on his phone contained the chilling instruction: "Kill Jared Darby in downstairs restroom with bag," along with details of a vehicle believed to be his.

Pastor Abraham Guajardo, another church leader, confirmed Mbwavi had been previously removed and denied entry. "He was asking too many personal questions, behaving erratically," Guajardo said, adding that Romo's intervention "saved his life and the lives of other church members."

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Mbwavi moving among congregants with his hand in his pocket, clutching an object consistent with a firearm. Prosecutors have requested a $50,000 bond, citing the use of a deadly weapon and a prior failure to appear in court on an unrelated matter.

The incident underscores the heightened security challenges faced by places of worship in an era of targeted violence. Eden Church has since reinforced its security protocols and expressed gratitude that the situation was contained without injury.

Community Reaction

Michael Rodriguez, Local Parishioner: "It's a miracle someone was paying such close attention. This should be a wake-up call for all congregations to review their safety plans. We can't take our security for granted anymore."

Sarah Chen, Community Safety Advocate: "The detailed note on the phone points to premeditation, not a spontaneous act. It's deeply troubling. We need better systems to identify and support individuals in crisis before they reach this point."

David Fletcher, Former Law Enforcement (sharper tone): "How many red flags does it take? He was already kicked out for handing out disturbing material! This wasn't a failure of prediction; it was a failure of prevention. The system clearly didn't take the prior threat seriously enough."

Reverend Clara Matthews, Interfaith Council: "Our hearts go out to the Eden Church community. An attack on a house of worship is an attack on the very fabric of our community's peace. We must stand together against hatred and violence."