During a Sunday occurrence at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, off-duty officers answered to a woman opening fire.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner announced that the suspect, aged between 30 and 35, went into the church with a lengthy rifle and a 5-year-old boy around 1:53 p.m. local time.
Suspect Opened Fire, Injuring 2 at Texas Church
The officers engaged and badly shot the woman, arising in the unlucky censorious wounded of a 5-year-old child and a 57-year-old man being shot in the leg.
Finner stated that although the suspect claimed to have a bomb, no explosives were found. Pastor Joel Osteen emphasized the potential for greater harm if the incident had occurred during a busier church service.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez mentioned that some Harris County deputies, working part-time at the church, also responded to the shooting during a Spanish language service.
On Sunday afternoon, a woman, clad in a trench coat and armed with a long rifle, entered Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston accompanied by a young child, initiating gunfire, as stated by Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.
Two off-duty law enforcement officers, a Houston police officer, and an envoy from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, engaged and badly shot the approximately 30-35-year-old woman on the scene.
Regrettably, a 5-year-old child was seriously wounded, and a 57-year-old man, unconnected to the occurrence, suffered a leg gunshot injury and sought medical treatment.
Finner commended the officers for their swift response, acknowledging the potential severity of the situation given the woman's possession of a long gun.
An investigation into the shooting will take place, and both officers will be placed on administrative leave during the inquiry.
The woman had reportedly threatened to have a bomb, but a search of her vehicle and backpack revealed no explosives.
Additionally, she sprayed an unspecified substance on the ground.
Lakewood Church, a megachurch located approximately 6 miles from downtown Houston, confirmed the reports of shots fired and urged prayers for the community.
Pastor Joel Osteen expressed gratitude that the incident occurred "in between services," potentially preventing more extensive harm.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott conveyed condolences and pledged support for justice in the aftermath of the tragic shooting.
A parishioner inside the church during the incident reported hearing multiple shots and receiving instructions to run.
The White House is monitoring the situation, seeking additional information, according to a White House official.
Lakewood Church, originally founded in the 1950s by Osteen's father, occupies a former sports arena.
CNN has reached out to Houston police and the Harris County Sheriff's Office for further details.
Shooter Identified as Woman
According to the Associated Press, a woman wearing a trench coat fired shots with a long gun inside the Texas megachurch of celebrity pastor Joel Osteen before being confronted and fatally shot by two off-duty officers.
The incident occurred between busy Sunday services, prompting worshippers to evacuate the building.
The identity of the deceased woman and her motive remain unknown.
The shooting transpired between services at the megachurch, attended by around 45,000 people weekly, making it the third-largest in the U.S.
Osteen, whose sermons reach about 100 countries, expressed devastation and noted the potential for more significant harm if the incident had occurred during the larger 11 a.m. service.
It's not clear where Osteen was during the occurrence, but he later joined police at a news conference.
Authorities are willingly answering to the circumstances, urging people to keep away from the area.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered solace to those affected by the disaster, highlighting the holiness of places of worship.
A Lakewood parishioner inside the church described hearing multiple shots and being ordered to run during the occurrence.
