Muslim from Texas says he embarked on mission to kill Christians
On Sept. 13, Rasheed Abdul Aziz walked into the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Bullard, Texas, and claimed that Allah sent him to murder Christians and Jews who oppose the teachings of Islam.
Pastor John. D. Johnson recalled how Aziz's presence sent shivers to the audience. "Every hair on my neck stood up. It was almost like you could just like feel the presence of just negative energy," he said in an interview with the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
The Muslim was reportedly dressed in camouflage pants, tactical vest, boots, and had a gun when he entered the church on Sunday afternoon at around 1 p.m. He was heard to have said "People are going to die today."
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In the interview, Johnson said he had to think quick to thwart whatever the gunman was trying to do. The pastor said he stepped up to the plate and refused to let Aziz think that he "was in control," and he didn't show that he was frightened.
Johnson first served as a parole officer and was often tasked to deal with mentally ill offenders and suspects. Even as a pastor now, Johnson said his experience helped his instincts remain alert, noting that he "continued to engage," but was very cautious of how he spoke to Aziz, so as not to agitate him.
The pastor then calmly told Aziz, who is a native of Jacksonville Texas, to relax and have a seat. He said he had to leave him for a short while to check on some kids who were playing in a nearby room. He then used the opportunity to alert church members of what could possibly happen.
Aziz somehow felt suspicious of the pastor's actions so he immediately walked out of the church and jumped into his car. With the information from Johnson, the authorities later captured Aziz for felony of possessing a firearm.
Meanwhile, it seemed that before getting arrested, Aziz went back to the church and left a note for the pastor. According to KLTV, the letter appeared to express Aziz's repentance for what he did as he mentioned that Johnson "helped me at a time of need." Furthermore, Aziz said, "This house is blessed by God & all Faiths muslim, Jew & the Christian shall all gather here in Peace & Justice for God as a whole For the betterment of mand kind..."
