– “Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church attack”
– “Fatal incident at pastor’s church”.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Unidentified Female Suspect Fatally Shot After Opening Fire at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church
An unidentified female suspect was killed after she opened fire at controversial pastor Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas on Sunday, February 11, 2024, injuring two individuals, including a five-year-old boy.
The incident took place just before 2 pm on Sunday at Lakewood Church, the home of Joel Osteen’s ministry. According to CBS, the church was packed with worshippers who were transitioning between services, preparing for the Spanish service, when a female suspect, believed to be between 30-35 years old, entered the west side of the church property parking lot. She was clad in a trench coat and backpack and was armed with a long rifle. Accompanying her was a five-year-old child.
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspect began opening fire at the scene, prompting an off-duty Houston police officer and an agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to return fire in an attempt to neutralize the threat.
During the confrontation, the suspect was struck and succumbed to her injuries at the scene. After being shot, she reportedly threatened that she had a bomb. However, a thorough search of her backpack and car revealed no explosive device.
Tragically, the five-year-old boy who was with the suspect sustained injuries and was in critical condition. It remains unclear who was responsible for the child’s injuries. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner addressed reporters during a news conference, stating that the suspect put the child in danger and therefore bore responsibility for his wounds.
Another victim, a 57-year-old man, was also shot in the leg and was seeking medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
It is important to note that the suspect’s identity and motive for the attack on Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, the third-largest megachurch in the United States with a weekly attendance of 45,000 people, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, have yet to be disclosed. Law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the incident.
Lakewood Church, founded by Joel Osteen’s father in 1959, has been embroiled in controversies over the years. Joel Osteen, the senior pastor of the church, assumed the role after his father’s passing in 1999. He has faced criticism for leading a lavish lifestyle due to his substantial net worth, estimated to be over $100 million.
In 2021, Osteen faced backlash when Lakewood Church received a $4.4 million PPP loan (Paycheck Protection Program) during the pandemic, intended to support small businesses affected by COVID-19. Additionally, in 2017, Osteen faced criticism for not immediately opening the church’s doors to victims affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Following the shooting incident, Joel Osteen held a news conference in which he expressed his prayers for the suspect and the injured child. He acknowledged that the situation could have been far worse had the suspect arrived during the peak hour of the service.
The two off-duty officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duty as the investigation into the incident continues.
In conclusion, the shooting incident at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church has raised questions and concerns. As authorities work to uncover the motive behind the attack, the church and its controversial pastor remain in the spotlight..
1. Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church attack aftermath
2. Fatal incident at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church.
