Joel Osteen Responds to Texas Megachurch Shooting

Celebrity pastor Joel Osteen has released a statement after a woman in a trench coat opened fire with a gun inside his megachurch in Texas on Sunday.

The shooting at the Lakewood Church in Houston, now of one the largest megachurches in the U.S., took place shortly before the 2 p.m. Spanish service was set to begin.

Two off-duty officers working security confronted and killed the suspect, police said. Two other people were shot and injured, including a 5-year-old boy who entered the church with the woman and was taken to a hospital in a critical condition.

"Our community is devastated by today's events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement," Osteen said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"May the healing hands of God touch the lives of everyone involved and provide comfort during this difficult time," he said. "In the face of such darkness, we must hold onto our faith and remember evil will not prevail. God will guide us through the darkest of times. Together, we will rise above this tragedy and stand firm in our commitment to love and support one another."

Osteen added: "In times like these, our faith is tested, but it is also strengthened. We don't always understand why things like this happen, but we know that God is in control. Please join me in continued prayer for healing and peace."

At a news conference on Sunday, Osteen said the violence could have been much worse if it had happened during the larger 11 a.m. service.

"We were in-between services, going into the Spanish service," he said. "So you know, if there's anything good of it… she didn't get in there and do a whole lot worse damage. So we thank God for that."

Authorities have not identified the suspect or any victims of the shooting, nor a motive for the violence. Newsweek has contacted the Houston Police Department for comment via email.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner described the shooter as a woman in her early to mid-30s, saying she entered the church wearing a trench coat and backpack and armed with a long rifle.

The woman entered the church with the boy, Finner said, but he did not describe their relationship.

After the woman began shooting, Finner said she was confronted by two off-duty officers who worked security at the church. He did not name them, but said one is a 28-year-old Houston police officer and the other is a 38-year-old agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

The woman told officers that she had a bomb after she was shot, but a search found no explosives, Finner said.

"I want to commend those officers. She had a long gun, and it could have been worse," Finner said. "But they stepped up and did their job."

It was not clear how the boy was struck by gunfire. Asked if he was shot by one of the off-duty officers returning fire on the suspect, Finner said he did not want to speculate.

"That female, that suspect, put that baby in danger," he said. "I'm going to put that blame on her."

The other victim was a 57-year-old man who was shot in the leg, Finner said.