Houston, Texas – A woman opened fire inside Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Houston, Texas, on Sunday, before being shot by two off-duty officers who confronted her, causing chaos and panic among the worshippers. The incident occurred between the church’s busy Sunday services, resulting in a child being critically injured and a 57-year-old man suffering wounds.
The woman, who entered the church with a 5-year-old boy, began shooting shortly before 2 p.m., leading to a confrontation with the off-duty officers and her subsequent death. The child was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, while the man was reported to be in stable condition with a hip wound. The Houston Police Chief Troy Finner praised the quick response of the officers, acknowledging that the situation could have been much worse.
The shooting took place at the Lakewood Church, which regularly sees an attendance of 45,000 people every week, making it the third largest megachurch in the U.S. Pastor Joel Osteen, whose televised sermons reach about 100 countries, expressed devastation concerning the incident. He joined police at a news conference, where he offered prayers for the victims and the woman responsible for the shooting.
According to reports from witnesses, multiple gunshots were heard just before the 2 p.m. Spanish language service was set to begin. Worshippers inside the church described scenes of chaos and fear, with many seeking shelter and praying for safety amidst the uncertainty. Emergency vehicles and authorities swarmed the area as the church was evacuated, and a reunification center was set up at a nearby gym for people to find their loved ones.
Officials confirmed that the woman did not have any explosives in her possession, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise. Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his condolences, emphasizing the sacred nature of places of worship and extending support to the Lakewood Church community. As the investigation continues, worshippers are left reeling from the shocking and traumatic events that unfolded on what was expected to be a day of peace and spiritual solace.