Joel Osteen Issues Statement on Megachurch Shooting

Celebrity pastor Joel Osteen issued a statement following a shooting incident inside the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas on Sunday, Feb. 11.

It was previously reported that the shooting took place shortly before the 14:00 Spanish service was about to begin.

She was shot dead by two off-duty law enforcement officers who were at the scene at the time as security volunteers for the megachurch.

A five-year-old boy who entered the church with the woman was injured and taken to the hospital in critical condition. Meanwhile, a 57-year-old man was also shot in the leg, Newsweek reported.

Osteen: We Are 'Devastated'

In the aftermath of the shooting, Osteen provided a statement on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"Our community is devastated by today's events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement," he said. "May the healing hands of God touch the lives of everyone involved and provide comfort during this difficult time."

The pastor urged his congregation to keep their faith "[i]n the face of such darkness," saying that faith is being "tested" and "strengthened" in times such as the shooting that happened in the church.

"God will guide us through the darkest of times," he added. "Together, we will rise above this tragedy and stand firm in our commitment to love and support one another."

"Please join me in continued prayer for healing and peace."

Motives, Identities Still Unknown

At a news conference on Sunday, Osteen said that the gun violence could have been much worse if it had happened during the larger 11:00 service earlier that day.

"We were in-between services, going into the Spanish service," he explained to reporters. "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."

So far, authorities have not identified the suspect or any of the shooting victims. But Houston Police Chief Troy Finner described the shooter as a woman in her early to mid-30s, adding that she entered the church wearing a trench coat and backpack and armed with a long rifle.

The shooter told the officers that her backpack had a bomb, but none was found.

"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."

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Us, Texas, Houston, Shooting, Gun, Guns, Gun violence, Police, Second amendment, Joel Osteen