HOUSTON, TX – A woman shooter entered the megachurch of pastor Joel Osteen and opened fire on Sunday, making claims about a bomb before she was killed by off-duty officers working at the building. The incident occurred during a press conference and investigations are currently ongoing to understand the motive behind the attack. The attacker was accompanied by a young child, who was hospitalized in critical condition after being struck by gunfire. It was not immediately clear what relation the child had to the woman.
The shooter, described as a 30-to-35-year-old woman, entered Lakewood Church at around 12:53 p.m. CT, armed with a long rifle and claiming to have a bomb in her backpack. Witnesses reported that she was also spraying an unknown substance on the church’s ground. Two victims, including the child and a 57-year-old man, were hospitalized for their injuries. The attacker was shot and killed by a Harris County deputy, who was believed to be among the law enforcement officers working extra jobs at the church.
The church, founded by Joel and Delores Osteen, is one of the largest congregations in the country, averaging about 45,000 attendees per week. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement expressing support for the Lakewood Church community and offering state resources to help bring swift justice to the perpetrator. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed that the attack is believed to be an isolated incident, and investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies are collaborating on the case.
As of now, it is unclear what motivated the unidentified woman to carry out the attack in the church. It can be noted that the incident took place around the time the Spanish language church service was scheduled to start. The church has asked for prayers from the community in the wake of the tragic event, emphasizing the sanctity of places of worship. The gunman’s motive and the circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.