In a shocking incident at Lakewood Church on Sunday, two off-duty law enforcement officers heroically intervened when a woman in her early 30s opened fire inside the megachurch, known as one of the largest evangelical churches in the U.S. The church, led by televangelist Joel Osteen, was about to host a Spanish-language service.
Armed with a long rifle, the woman entered the church accompanied by a 5-year-old child and began shooting. Quick action by two off-duty officers, one from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the other a Houston police officer, prevented any casualties within the church. Unfortunately, two people were injured, including the child who was with the shooter.
The child, now in critical condition, was rushed to Texas Children’s Hospital, while a man in his fifties sustained a non-critical leg injury and is receiving treatment at a local hospital. Police Chief Troy Finner emphasized that without the brave response of the officers, the situation could have been much worse. Despite the chaos, authorities found no explosives after the woman had claimed to have a bomb. The motive behind the shooting and the relationship between the woman and the child remain under investigation.
Governor Greg Abbott expressed condolences, stating, “Our hearts are with those impacted by today’s tragic shooting and the entire Lakewood Church community in Houston.” Lakewood Church, with a seating capacity of 16,000, is led by Joel Osteen, a prominent figure in the U.S. prosperity gospel movement. Osteen, expressing resilience, told reporters, “We don’t understand why these things happen, but God’s in control. We’re going to stay strong. We’re going to continue to move forward.”
The incident has left the community in shock, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of such events and the need for collective strength in the face of adversity.
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