On Sunday February 11, 2024, a woman in her early 30s opened fire at Lakewood Church in Houston, one of the largest evangelical churches in the United States led by televangelist Joel Osteen.
The church, preparing for a Spanish-language service, had approximately 16,000 people in attendance.
Reports reveal that the armed woman, accompanied by a child around 4-5 years old, began firing a long rifle upon entering the church.
“The woman, estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, entered the church shortly before 2 p.m. dressed in a trench coat and armed with a long gun and a backpack,” Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said while addressing the local media.
The police noted that two off-duty officers, one from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the other a Houston police officer, swiftly intervened, neutralizing the shooter.
The heroic actions of the off-duty officers prevented further casualties.
However, during the incident, two people were injured, including the child accompanying the shooter.
The child sustained serious injuries and was taken to Texas Children’s Hospital. Additionally, another man in his fifties sustained a non-critical leg injury and is being treated at a local hospital.
Authorities are working to determine the child’s relationship to the shooter and the motive behind the attack.
Houston Police Chief’s remarks about the Incident
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner told reporters during a news conference outside the church that the woman put the child’s life in danger.
“I will say this, that female, that suspect, put that baby in danger. I’m going to put that blame on her,” he noted.
According to reports, the woman had threatened that she had a bomb, prompting a search of her backpack and vehicle, fortunately, no explosives were found.
The Houston Police boss commended the off-duty officers, stating that the situation could have been “much worse” if not for their prompt response.
Mass shootings in the U.S are predominantly carried out by men, making this incident a rare occurrence.
Texas 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, led by Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria Osteen, is a prominent evangelical institution with a seating capacity of over 40,000 worshipers over a weekend.
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Renowned Televangelist Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen, known for his prosperity gospel preaching, addressed the media on Sunday, February 11 expressing his devastation and asserting faith in God’s control.
He emphasized the church’s commitment to staying strong and moving forward.
“We don’t understand why these things happen, but we know God is in control. We are going to pray for the little 5-year-old boy and the lady that was deceased, her family, and the other gentlemen,” Osteen said.
Osteen is one of the wealthiest and most popular pastors in the U.S with his media broadcasts, podcasts, and radio programming reaching millions of audiences globally.
The church attracts a massive following both in person and online.
U.S past church mass shooting incidences
Several mass shootings have occurred in U.S. houses of worship in recent years, including the November 2017 shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
Twenty-six people were killed, and 20 others wounded when a gunman opened fire on parishioners in the rural town east of San Antonio.
In December 2019, a man shot and killed two people during a church service at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement.
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In retaliation, a church member shot and killed him in seconds.
Nonetheless, a Texas law was passed in response to the Sutherland Springs shooting allowing licensed handgun owners to carry those weapons in places of worship.
As the investigation unfolds, Houston authorities are piecing together the events leading to this tragic shooting, aiming to provide clarity on the motive and circumstances surrounding the woman’s actions.
The incident has once again ignited conversations in the U.S about the need for increased security measures, even in places of worship, to ensure the safety of congregants and prevent such devastating events.
