Chaos erupted at Lakewood Church on Sunday when a female suspect, donning a trenchcoat and wielding a long rifle, opened fire before being fatally shot by law enforcement, as reported by the Houston Police Department. The incident occurred in between church services, sending shock waves through the community gathered at the massive congregation known for drawing tens of thousands weekly.
HPD is responding to reports of a shooting at 3700 Southwest Freeway. This is an on-going, active scene. Please avoid the area. Additional information will be provided as it is available. #HouNews
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) February 11, 2024
The gunman, described as a woman in her thirties, entered the parking area alongside a child believed to be four or five years old. Witnesses said she began to randomly fire upon entering. Two off-duty officers, one from Houston PD and another an ATF agent responded by engaging the suspect. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner stated "It could have been a lot worse," with one of the officers stating that the woman threatened to have a bomb after she was shot—a claim that was later disproved upon investigating her vehicle and backpack.
Tragically, the young child accompanying the woman was struck and is now in critical condition at Children's Texas. Another bystander, a 57-year-old man, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. As investigations into the woman's motives continue, the identity of the suspect remains undisclosed. The devastation of the event was echoed by Joel Osteen, co-founder of Lakewood Church, in a statement obtained by CBS News, where he expressed his incomprehension and his commitment to pray for those affected.
Governor Greg Abbott has offered "full support and resources" of the state, including assistance from the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers, to aid in the investigation. He described the shooting as "heinous" and reiterated the sanctity of places of worship. As is standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting, the officers who neutralized the threat have been placed on administrative duty. Finner announced, in the aftermath, that patrols will be increased around religious institutions to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
