The Church Gun meme, also known as the Assassination Chain, originated from a scene in the TV show 'Person of Interest.' Specifically, it comes from the season 4 episode 'Point of Origin,' which aired in 2014. The image depicts a chain of characters pointing weapons at each other from behind, starting with a handgun and escalating to a sniper in the church balcony. It became a viral sensation as a visual metaphor for situations where someone thinks they have the upper hand, only to be unaware of a larger threat or consequence looming directly behind them.