Man attended church where he threatened members with a loaded gun
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man is in jail after police say he brought a loaded gun to a Fifth Ward church and threatened parishioners with it.
Keanu Randolph, 20, is charged with retaliation, unlawfully carrying a weapon and evading arrest.
Terrance Edmonson, a deacon at Greater Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church, says Randolph started acting aggressively during Sunday's service. The deacon asked him to leave, and put Randolph's backpack outside. That's when he says Randolph went berserk.
Court paperwork says Randolph threatened to kill Edmonson, rape his wife, and kill the couple's toddler daughter.
Edmonson says Randolph pointed the gun at him, another deacon, the church pastor, and a woman parishioner, then took off running.
Edmonson called 911 and followed Randolph. Officers arrived and Edmonson recorded Randolph's arrest.
During Randolph's first court appearance, it was revealed officers found not only the loaded gun in Randolph's backpack, but also a nine-inch butcher knife. On his way to jail, police say Randolph put up a fight, screaming racist remarks at the two arresting officers.
Edmonson says it's unclear why Randolph got angry.
The deacon says the 20-year-old has attended Greater Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church for the last couple months. Edmonson says he's given Randolph money because he appeared down on his luck.
The combined bond amount for all three counts against Randolph was initially set at $7,000 but was raised to $55,000 Tuesday morning.
Today at 4 p.m. on ABC13 learn more about the church threat, and how the Houston Police Department is helping church members better prepare for potential violence.
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