Woman killed after opening fire inside Joel Osteen's Lakewood church injuring man and 5-year-old boy she brought

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

HOUSTAN, TEXAS: A woman wearing a trenchcoat and armed with a long gun opened fire inside Pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Texas on Sunday. 

As chaos ensued, people rushed to find safety, while two off-duty officers confronted and fatally shot the shooter. Two other individuals, including a 5-year-old boy, were injured in the shooting. 

The incident occurred just before the church's 2 pm Spanish service, coinciding with preparations for the Super Bowl elsewhere in the county. 

The woman entered the expansive Lakewood Church, with a capacity of 16,000 people and formerly an arena for the NBA's Houston Rockets, accompanied by the boy who was later injured during the altercation with the police.

Additionally, a man in his 50s sustained injuries in the incident as per AP news.

What did Houston Police Chief Troy Finner say about incident?

In the aftermath of the tragedy, details of the confrontation remain unclear, and authorities have yet to disclose the woman's identity or any potential motive.

Additionally, it remains unknown whether the woman had any relationship with the injured boy or who actually shot him and the man. 

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner addressed reporters during a news conference outside the church, stating, "I will say this, That female, that suspect, put that baby in danger. I’m going to put that blame on her." 

The boy is currently in critical condition at a children’s hospital, while the man is stable with a hip wound at another hospital. 

The shooting occurred during the gap between services at the megachurch, which typically hosts around 45,000 attendees every week, making it the third-largest megachurch in the U.S., according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. 

Joel Osteen mentioned that the violence could have been much more severe if it had taken place during the earlier, larger 11 am service.

What did witnesses claimed?

Witnesses recounted hearing multiple gunshots during the harrowing incident.

Christina Rodriguez, who was present inside the church, informed Houston television station KTRK that she immediately raised the alarm upon hearing the gunfire, prompting herself and others to seek refuge at the backside of a library within the building.

They later took shelter in a stairway until they received confirmation that it was safe to leave.

Alan Guity, a long-standing member of the church whose family hails from Honduras, shared his experience of the ordeal. He recalled resting inside the sanctuary before the Spanish service commenced when the sound of gunshots pierced the air. 

Guity rushed to his mother's side, and together they lay flat on the floor, praying fervently as the gunfire persisted. After about five minutes, they were instructed it was safe to evacuate. 

Guity and his mother then attempted to bring calmness to the distraught crowd by engaging in worship and singing hymns in Spanish outside the church.

Despite the chaos, Houston Police Chief Finner emphasized that the situation "could have been a lot worse" if not for the swift response of the two officers who engaged the shooter. 

These officers, who were providing security at the church at the time, were commended for their rapid actions. 

They belong to the Houston Police Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, respectively, and have been placed on administrative duty as per protocol.

Following the shooting, the woman claimed to have a bomb, but subsequent searches of her vehicle and backpack yielded no explosives. Despite this, first responders continued to comb through the megachurch for hours afterward.

Joel Osteen feels devastated amid shooting

Joel Osteen expressed devastation within his congregation following the tragic events on Sunday. 

He mentioned that prayers were extended to the victims, the shooter, and their families, although his whereabouts during the shooting remained undisclosed.

Addressing reporters alongside law enforcement, Osteen reaffirmed his congregation's resolve to persevere and move forward. He emphasized the strength of faith in overcoming adversity, stating, “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.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott extended sympathy to those affected by the shooting, particularly the Lakewood Church community, emphasizing the sanctity of places of worship.

Since Joel Osteen assumed leadership following his father's passing in 1999, Lakewood Church has experienced significant growth, propelled by an uplifting style of Christian televangelism. 

With televised sermons reaching approximately 100 countries, the church has amassed a large following.

Originally founded in 1959 by Joel's father in a converted feed store, Lakewood Church has since evolved into a prominent institution under Joel Osteen's leadership.