Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Armed woman opens fire on congregants at Joel Osten’s Lakewood Church 

Mr Osteen, via his official Facebook page, prayed for the healing of church members affected during the incident.

• February 12, 2024
Lakewood Church, Houston, America (Credit: Lakewood Church)
Lakewood Church, Houston, America (Credit: Lakewood Church)

An armed woman on Sunday entered Pastor Joel Osten’s Lakewood Church in Houston, United States, and opened fire on congregants. 

Lakewood Church, in a Facebook post, raised the alarm, saying the armed woman held a young boy.

“There is an active situation involving shots fired at Lakewood,” the church said. 

“Law enforcement is on the scene. That is all the information we have at this time,” it added.

Chief Troy Finner of the Houston Police Department, in a news conference, confirmed the incident happened at about 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

“She had a long gun, and it could have been a lot worse,” Mr Finner said. “The motive for the shooting was unclear.”

He explained that two security officers working at the church shot and killed the woman after she opened fire on congregants.

Mr Finner said the boy the woman came in with and some congregants were injured and were receiving treatment at the hospital.

The incident comes as another episode of shooting in the church in the U.S.

Mr Osteen, via his official Facebook page, prayed for the healing of church members affected during the incident, appreciating security agencies for their prompt response, 

“Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. May the healing hands of God touch the lives of everyone involved and provide comfort during this difficult time,” Mr Osteen said.

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