Houston, Texas – A tragic incident unfolded at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church on Sunday when a woman opened fire inside the megachurch, injuring two individuals and putting the congregation in a state of panic. The shooting occurred just before the church’s 2 p.m. Spanish service was scheduled to begin, causing worshippers to flee for safety.
The woman, who has not been identified, entered the church with a young boy who was later injured in the shootout with police. Two off-duty officers confronted and ultimately killed the shooter, but not before a 5-year-old boy and a 57-year-old man sustained gunshot wounds. The 5-year-old remains in critical condition, while the man is stable with a hip wound.
Although details surrounding the motive and the relationship between the woman and the boy are still unclear, the swift response from the off-duty officers prevented an even greater tragedy. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner emphasized that the woman put the child in danger and took responsibility for the incident’s outcome.
Joel Osteen, known for his uplifting style of Christian televangelism, expressed devastation over the shooting at his megachurch. He assured the public that his congregation would remain resilient in the face of such adversity and echoed sentiments of offering prayers to the victims and the woman responsible for the shooting.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also extended his sympathies to those impacted by the tragic event, acknowledging the sacred nature of places of worship. The resilience and dedication of the church community were evident as they continued to gather and grieve with a strong sense of unity.