Threat Against Megachurch Leads To Felony Charge
Aaron Suppes, a 33-year-old man, was arrested and charged with a felony after allegedly threatening to release sarin gas during a Christmas Eve service at Lakewood Church in Houston. The threat, made via phone call, claimed he would release the deadly chemical during the packed service, which had more than 5,000 attendees. While the service continued as planned, authorities swiftly reviewed security footage and conducted an investigation, concluding there was no immediate danger.
Suppes left duffel bags near the entrance of the church, prompting a bomb squad and hazmat team to inspect them. The bags were found to contain no explosives or dangerous materials. Additionally, investigators discovered that Suppes had made another odd phone call earlier that day, claiming he and his sister were being “microwaved from overseas.” This led authorities to suspect that mental health issues may have played a role in the incident.
Following the investigation and review of surveillance footage, police were able to locate Suppes, who was still near the church, and arrested him without incident. He was formally charged with making a terroristic threat, and his bond was set at $15,000. Although the threat turned out to be false, it raised serious concerns about the safety and security measures at Lakewood Church.
This incident followed a previous security scare in February when an armed woman entered the church during a Sunday service, opening fire and injuring two people before being fatally shot by off-duty officers. The woman, identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, had used multiple aliases and was armed with both a .22 caliber rifle and an AR-15. The attack resulted in a child and a bystander being injured, further raising questions about the church’s security protocols.
These two troubling events have drawn attention to the ongoing need for stronger safety measures at Lakewood Church. The incidents have underscored the importance of addressing security concerns at large public venues to prevent future threats or acts of violence.