Gunwoman Opens Fire at Joel Osteen’s Megachurch in Texas, Leaving Child Injured and Congregants Fleeing
In a shocking incident that unfolded on a Sunday afternoon, a woman armed with a long gun entered the renowned Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, led by celebrity pastor Joel Osteen. Chaos erupted as she opened fire inside the megachurch, leaving a 5-year-old child critically injured and congregants scrambling for safety. The terrifying scene was brought to an end when two off-duty officers confronted the gunwoman, ultimately taking her down.
The ordeal began shortly before 2 p.m., as the woman clad in a trenchcoat walked into the church with the young child. The child was tragically struck by a bullet and is currently in critical condition at a hospital. Additionally, a 57-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to his hip but is now in stable condition.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner commended the off-duty officers for their swift response, stating that they “engaged” the shooter, resulting in her demise. Finner expressed regret that the child had been injured but did not provide immediate details on how the confrontation unfolded. He further emphasized the severity of the situation, acknowledging that it could have been much worse given that the gunwoman possessed a long gun.
The identity of the woman and her motive remain unknown at this time. The shooting occurred between services at Lakewood Church, which boasts a staggering weekly attendance of 45,000 people, making it the third-largest megachurch in the United States. Joel Osteen’s televised sermons reach approximately 100 countries worldwide. It is unclear where Osteen was during the incident, but he later joined the police at a press conference and expressed his devastation over the events that transpired. Osteen emphasized that the situation could have been far more catastrophic had it occurred during the larger 11 a.m. service. He offered his prayers for the victims, the shooter, and their families.
Despite the harrowing experience, Osteen vowed to remain resilient, stating, “We’re going to stay strong and continue to move forward. There are forces of evil, but the forces that are for us—the forces of God—are stronger than that. So we’re going to keep going strong and just, you know, doing what God’s called us to do: lift people up and give hope to the world.”
Witnesses inside the church recounted hearing multiple gunshots just moments before the scheduled 2 p.m. Spanish language service. Christina Rodriguez, who was present at the time, alerted others to the presence of a shooter and sought refuge in the backside of a library within the building. They later gathered in a stairway until given the all-clear to evacuate.
Alan Guity, a longtime member of Lakewood Church, shared his terrifying experience of being inside the sanctuary with his mother when the shots rang out. They dropped to the floor and prayed as the gunfire persisted for about five minutes. Finally, they were informed that it was safe to leave. Guity and his mother attempted to calm fellow congregants outside by worshiping and singing in Spanish, finding solace in their faith during such a traumatic event.
As police continued their search of the building, individuals anxiously waited to be allowed back to their vehicles. The church, once an arena where the NBA’s Houston Rockets played years ago, was now surrounded by a significant presence of police and fire trucks. Amidst rumors of a possible bomb threat, authorities searched the woman’s vehicle and backpack but found no explosives.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his condolences, stating, “Our hearts are with those impacted by today’s tragic shooting and the entire Lakewood Church community in Houston. Places of worship are sacred.” In light of the incident, officials established a reunification center at a nearby gym to assist individuals in locating their loved ones.
This shocking act of violence has shaken the Lakewood Church community and left the nation in disbelief. As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families while grappling with the unanswered questions surrounding this senseless act.
