Off-Duty Officers Kill Armed Woman in Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church
TL/DR –
A woman opened fire in Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas, injuring two people and causing attendees to scramble for safety. The suspect was confronted and killed by two off-duty police officers who were present in the church. The motive behind the attack is still unclear and investigations are ongoing.
Shooting at Joel Osteen’s Megachurch in Texas Leaves Child Critical
A woman clad in a trenchcoat wielding a long firearm unleashed terror on the faithful at celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Texas, leading to a chaotic scramble for safety. The incident, which left two injured including a critically wounded 5-year-old boy, unfolded just before the 2 p.m. Spanish service. Two off-duty officers confronted and subsequently eliminated the threat.
The massive Lakewood Church, previously an NBA arena for the Houston Rockets, was the stage for the horrifying event. The woman had entered the church with the child who was later injured in the crossfire, alongside a man in his fifties.
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The motive and the identity of the woman remain undisclosed, and her connection with the boy is also unknown. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner criticizes the woman for putting the child in grave danger.
45,000 people attend Lakewood Church weekly, making it the third-largest megachurch in the U.S. Eyewitnesses described the fear and panic that ensued during the shooting. Awaiting safety confirmation, congregants rushed to hide in the church’s library and stairwells.
Alan Guity, a church member, recalls hearing the gunshots and immediately seeking safety with his mother, an usher at the church. Both laid flat on the floor praying until they received clearance to evacuate. In the aftermath, they tried to soothe the scared congregation by singing worship songs in Spanish.
Police Chief Finner believes the outcome could have been much worse if not for the swift response of the officers. However, following the incident, both officers have been placed on administrative duty in line with protocol.
Adding to the terror, the woman claimed she had a bomb, though no explosives were found in her vehicle or backpack. The search extended to the church premises for hours after the incident.
Joel Osteen expressed his devastation and reassured his congregation of their resilience through faith.
Under Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church has seen exponential growth over the past 25 years, reaching millions through Osteen’s unique style of Christian televangelism. His broadcasts extend to about 100 countries, affirming the strength of his following.
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