Shooting at Joel Osteen’s Megachurch Leaves Child in Critical Condition

A woman, armed with a long gun, opened fire inside Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, during preparations for a Spanish service, causing panic and injuries before being fatally shot by off-duty officers. The incident occurred on Sunday, just before the 2 p.m. service, in a church capable of seating 16,000 attendees. A 5-year-old boy, critically injured, and a man in his 50s, stable with a hip wound, were the victims of the gunfire. The relationship between the shooter and the victims, including the young boy, remains unclear, as does the shooter’s motive.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, addressing the media, condemned the shooter’s actions for endangering lives, especially that of the child. The shooting took place in a church that hosts 45,000 worshippers weekly, ranking it among the largest megachurches in the U.S. Eyewitnesses recounted the terror of hearing gunshots and seeking refuge within the church’s premises. The situation was controlled thanks to the swift action of two off-duty officers working security, one from the Houston Police Department and the other from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

The aftermath of the shooting saw a thorough search of the premises for explosives after the shooter claimed to have a bomb, though none were found. Joel Osteen expressed devastation over the event, emphasizing resilience and the power of faith in overcoming evil.