In Gardena, California, Pastor Lorenz Roseman of Beulah Land Missionary Baptist Church has been charged with felony assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, following an incident where he allegedly pushed a senior church elder down concrete steps. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed Roseman's arrest in October 2025, and he has since pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The victim, Elise McTaw, a veteran member of the church, suffered multiple fractures as a result of the fall. Community activist Najee Ali, representing Project Islamic Hope, stepped forward to advocate for her at the behest of McTaw's family. During a press conference, Ali called for Roseman's removal and underscored the severity of the alleged assault, stating on Facebook, "You could have killed her. We’re not going to sweep this under the rug."
Surveillance footage dated October 7 appears to capture the moment Roseman pushes McTaw through a metal gate, resulting in her tumbling down the steps. McTaw was seen wearing a brace at the press conference, which Ali cited as evidence of her injuries. The criminal complaint against Roseman detailed acts of great violence and cruelty.
The incident has raised questions within the church community, especially after Roseman resumed preaching just two days following his arrest. Dr. Ta-Taneisha Thames, a congregant, expressed that physical altercations are unacceptable, echoing calls for Roseman's dismissal from his role.
Roseman responded to the allegations by framing them as a repercussion of his actions against certain church members engaged in unethical or illegal activities. He claims that these individuals are retaliating by attacking his character and manipulating the legal system. He did not, however, directly address the incident captured on video.
The case has ignited a broader conversation regarding accountability within religious institutions, especially concerning how leadership deals with allegations of misconduct. Some supporters of Roseman claim that a majority of the congregation voted to retain him as a leader, although specific details of the vote have not been made public.
Community members have since organized protests outside the church, emphasizing the physical harm to McTaw and the perceived moral failure of the church's leadership to protect its vulnerable members. Roseman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 30, as the debate over the responsibilities and accountability of religious figures continues to unfold.
