Most people generally go to a bookstore to do two main things; to either peruse the books on the shelves, to purchase them, or both. However, just a few minutes after 9 a.m. on Thursday, it was obvious that one man had something else in mind when he entered Lakewood Church's bookstore just after it opened.
"The guy shows up and starts throwing books around and kicking stuff over," said Lakewood spokesperson Don Iloff.
The man was identified as 30-year old Michael David Fletcher. It was not apparent as to why Fletcher was causing such a disturbance. Iloff said Fletcher appeared to be "kind of incoherent."
According to the Christian Post, Fletcher could be heard referencing Matthew 21:12 which says, "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves."
Fletcher shouted out the scripture while pushing over more books and displays.
Fortunately, off duty police officers regularly patrol Lakewood's premises. At the time of the incident, an off-duty sheriff came to the rescue, confronted Fletcher and tried to get him under control. Fletcher put up a fight and eventually succumbed to the sheriff who handcuffed his hands and feet. Houston police arrived soon after and took Fletcher into custody.
Jodi Silva, a spokesperson for the Houston Police Department, said that Fletcher will likely face criminal mischief charges for the disturbance.
Lakewood Church, based in Houston, Texas, is the largest Protestant church in the United States, and is led by Pastor Joel Osteen. Church officials did not seem too rattled by the disturbance and described it as a minor one. The church has also commented that it is grateful that no customers were inside the bookstore at the time.
