Two people are currently hospitalized after the horrific incident at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church.
According to Houston police, a woman in her early 30s entered the building with a long rifle. She was wearing a trench coat and backpack and had a child in tow, reportedly about four or five years old.
Authorities said she began shooting immediately after entering the facility.
That’s when she was stopped by the two off-duty officers working security. The alleged shooter died at the scene, and the child is listed in critical condition at a Houston hospital.
Police reported a 57-year-old man who was not involved in the frightening incident was struck in the leg and is being treated at a hospital.
After she was shot, law enforcement said the woman threatened to have a bomb. This prompted a search of her backpack and vehicle, but no such device was found.
Lakewood Church holds a 2 p.m. Spanish-language service and it was about to commence. Speaking to ABC 13, a witness in the building said she was in the choir room when she heard several shots fired.
“The whole church started praying and declaring Jesus’ name. I was like, ‘This might be the last time I get to pray, that I get to glorify the name of Jesus, so I’m going to do this.’”
The church service was being live streamed, and the sound of gunfire could be heard by viewers.
One man told local media that he heard 20-30 shots fired in the violent encounter. Police also confirmed she was spraying some type of substance on the ground.
A family reunification site was established at a nearby gym after several parents and children were separated while fleeing the gunshots.
What was a bad situation with an obviously deranged shooter could have been much worse without the presence of armed security. All too often, churches as well as schools are seen as “soft targets” by those who would prey on the innocent.
But good guys with guns changed that narrative on Sunday.
