HOUSTON, TEXAS – A tragic shooting occurred at the Houston megachurch of celebrity pastor Joel Osteen on Sunday afternoon. The shooting resulted in the death of a woman who entered the church with a long gun and a young child, as well as the injury of a nearby man. The woman was fatally shot by two off-duty officers working as security at the church, while the child was critically wounded and the man was injured.
According to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, the shooting took place between services at the megachurch, which typically sees an attendance of 45,000 people every week, making it the third largest megachurch in the U.S. Osteen’s televised sermons reach about 100 countries. Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed condolences, acknowledging the sanctity of places of worship and the impact of the tragedy on the Lakewood Church community.
Pastor Joel Osteen emphasized the potentially dire consequences had the shooting occurred during the larger 11 a.m. service, underscoring the devastation felt by the church community and his commitment to praying for the victims and their families.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed that the shooter was down after the incident, but did not provide further details. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots around the time the church’s 2 p.m. Spanish language service was scheduled to begin.
As authorities continued to methodically search the building as a precaution, worshippers were evacuated from the church. Governor Abbott’s sentiments were echoed by witnesses who emphasized the sacredness of places of worship and expressed shock and disbelief at the events that unfolded at the megachurch.
As the investigation continued, a reunification center was established at a nearby gym for people to locate their loved ones. The community was left reeling from the tragic event, as both churchgoers and officials grappled with the aftermath of the shooting at one of the largest churches in the U.S.