Shocking moment pastor pushes elderly woman down cement steps outside LA church

A group of members from Beulah Land Missionary Baptist Church gathered outside their Gardena church on Sunday, demanding the removal of Pastor Lorenz Roseman, who faces accusations of violently pushing a woman down a set of cement steps.

Surveillance video from late last year reportedly shows Roseman shoving an elderly woman through a metal gate and onto the ground as she stood at the church doors. After spending just two days in custody on a promise to appear in court, Roseman has returned to leading services. He claims a majority of church members voted during a business meeting to allow him to remain as pastor, according to KTLA.

Surveillance video shows a man pushing a woman in a fedora down concrete steps. — Surveillance video from Oct. 7, 2025, appears to show a man, identified as Pastor Lorenz Roseman, pushing Elise McTaw down concrete steps outside Beulah Land Missionary Baptist Church in Gardena. Najee Ali/Facebook

Surveillance video still shows a blurred figure pushing an elder down concrete steps outside a church. — In the video, the elderly McTaw is seen holding onto a metal gate to steady herself before losing her balance. Najee Ali/Facebook

Surveillance video showing a man pushing an elderly woman down concrete steps. — McTaw, a longtime church elder and senior citizen, is captured in the video sprawled on the ground outside the church. Najee Ali/Facebook

“The whole unfortunate event began when I was informed that certain influential members, who held positions of power, might be engaged in unethical or illegal activities. After conducting an investigation and confirming the allegations, I removed them from their positions,” Roseman said in a statement about the incident.

He added, “When these individuals could not oust me through our church policies and procedures, they began to attack my character and weaponize the legal system against me. However, judges have dismissed these suits as frivolous and lacking standing.”

Some congregants, including Dr. Ta-Taneisha Thames, say his explanation is insufficient. “He does not get to put his hands on anyone,” Thames told KTLA. “That is not okay. He has to go.”

The woman allegedly pushed, Elise McTaw, claims she suffered fractures to her wrist and toes from the fall.

“This is what the pastor did,” said community activist Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope, pointing to a brace worn by McTaw. “That’s why the members of the church are asking him to step down.”

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