Shooting at Joel Osteen's Houston megachurch leaves two injured, including a 5‑year-old boy
The authorities are looking into the incident that occurred on Sunday afternoon at Pastor Joel Osteen's church, approximately 6.2 miles from downtown Houston. Known as Lakewood Church, it's the largest religious building in the United States and is often considered a megachurch. The woman, who arrived with a small child and began shooting, was swiftly neutralized by the police.
6:57 AM EST, February 12, 2024
According to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, the woman who is estimated to be between 30-35 years old, walked into the church shortly before 2 PM. She was dressed in a trench coat, carrying a backpack, and wielding a long pistol. A 5-year-old boy accompanied her.
Police Chief Finner reported that the child was injured during the shooting and is now in the hospital in critical condition. Authorities have not yet provided any specifics regarding the possible motive for the shooting or the woman's relationship with the boy. Another male churchgoer was also injured during the incident.
The presence of two off-duty officers at the mass possibly prevented a larger casualty count. A 28-year-old Houston police officer and a 38-year-old agent from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, each with less than five years of service, neutralized the woman before she could shoot any further.
