NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The heroic actions of a local pastor and several of his parishioners saved a church from violence Sunday afternoon.

Metro police say 26-year-old Dezire Baganda was sitting at the front of the Nashville Light Mission Pentecostal Church, located in the 900 block of W. Trinity Lane, when he pulled out a gun and walked up to the altar where the pastor was praying along with several church members.
Baganda told everyone to get up while he waved and pointed the handgun at the congregation. The pastor quickly tackled Baganda before he was able to fire any shots. Several church members jumped in to help wrestle the gun away from Baganda and hold him down until police arrived, according to investigators.

Pastor speaks after disarming man who pulled gun at North Nashville church service | WKRN News 2

Ballsy and well executed move by the pastor and then beautiful back up by members. I checked around and Mr. Baganda has a previous arrest for assault and endangering minors in 2016, but it seems it got pleaded down to lesser offenses and got a fine.

“A shepherd must tend his flock. And at times… fight off the wolves.”
Reverend Oliver – The Patriot

 

Pastor Ezekiel Ndikumana took care of his flock. He may be a Man of Peace, but he surely is not cowardly meek.

Well done, sir.