HOUSTON, Texas – Chaos erupted at Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Houston, Texas, when a woman opened fire with a long gun, injuring a 5-year-old boy and a 57-year-old man before being fatally shot by two off-duty officers. The incident occurred between busy Sunday services, prompting worshippers to flee the building. The Houston Police Chief, Troy Finner, stated that the motivation behind the woman’s actions remains unclear.
The woman entered the church with a 5-year-old boy before the shooting took place, with the child sustaining critical injuries. Both the child and the wounded man were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Finner praised the quick response of the off-duty officers, who were working security at the church, stating that the situation could have been much worse had they not intervened promptly.
Witnesses inside the church recounted the harrowing experience of hearing multiple gunshots and fleeing to safety. The entire congregation was left shaken by the incident, with many waiting anxiously to return to their vehicles as police searched the building. Amid the chaos, Osteen joined police at a news conference, expressing devastation at the tragic events that unfolded.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed solidarity with the Lakewood Church community and those impacted by the shooting, emphasizing the sacredness of places of worship. Authorities evacuated the church and set up a reunification center for people to find their loved ones, while also addressing reports of a potential bomb threat, which ultimately proved to be unfounded.
The incident has cast a shadow over the renowned megachurch, known for its massive weekly attendance and global reach through televised sermons. Founded in a converted feed store in 1959, the church has undergone rapid expansion under Joel Osteen’s leadership, at times serving as a shelter during natural disasters and navigating capacity restrictions during the pandemic.
As investigations continue into the shooting, the community, the victims, and their families have been at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts and prayers, as they endeavor to come to terms with the traumatic events that transpired at the heart of their place of worship.