Suspect killed, two injured in shooting at Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch

A man and a young child were injured Sunday in a shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, police said. said.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said a woman wearing a trench coat and holding a long gun, accompanied by a young child, entered the church shortly before 2:30 p.m. local.

The woman was shot and killed by off-duty police officers inside the church a short time later, Finner said. The five-year-old child and a 56-year-old man were shot and injured. The child is in critical condition, Finner said.

The suspect also claimed to have a bomb, but police said no explosive device was found on her body or in her vehicle and that the church was being searched.

The shooting occurred between two services in Lakewood, one of the largest megachurches in the country.

“It’s unfortunate, on a day when we want to go to church and watch America’s number one sporting event, we find ourselves gathered here to respond to this tragedy,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire , during a press conference.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by today’s tragic shooting and to the entire Lakewood Church community in Houston,” Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said in a statement. “Places of worship are sacred. »

The governor added that he was in contact with local and state officials to “help this community and help bring swift justice to the criminal who committed this heinous act.”

Updated at 6:08 p.m.

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