Texas Church Shooting: Woman Opens Fire, Killed by Police Officers

A horrifying event unfolded at a mega evangelical church in Texas when a woman, armed with a long rifle, started firing indiscriminately. This tragic incident took place at the Lakewood Church, a colossal space of worship that attracts a staggering 45 thousand faithful attendees every week and broadcasts in over 100 countries globally. The woman’s rampage was eventually halted by off-duty police officers present at the event, who fatally neutralized her. However, the shooting resulted in severe injuries to a 5-year-old child who was with her and another woman, escalating the severity of this deeply distressing episode.

Details of the Shooting

The shooting took place just as the English service had concluded and the Spanish one was about to commence. The armed woman unleashed a storm of bullets, causing panic and chaos among the attendees who scrambled to find a safe haven. In her rampage, she fired several magazines and claimed to possess a bomb, further intensifying the terror. Following the incident, the police swiftly evacuated the entire shopping center where the church is situated, owing to rumors of a potential second attacker. However, these rumors were later debunked. Amidst the chaos, church televangelist Joel Osteen expressed his disbelief over the incident, asserting that “God is in control.”

The investigation is ongoing, and the police have yet to release any details regarding the identity of the woman or her potential motives. She was reportedly wearing a trench coat and a backpack at the time of the incident. The relationship between the woman and the injured child also remains unclear. Furthermore, her car was thoroughly inspected for any potential explosives. In light of such incidents, a study conducted by Lifeway Research, an association led by the Southern Baptist Convention, revealed that 55% of pastors have formulated response plans to tackle possible armed attacks during religious services.