Active Shooter Incident Reported at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston
ICARO Media Group
Authorities have responded to reports of an active shooter at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in southwest Houston. A heavy police presence has been observed at the megachurch, with the Harris County Sheriff's Office confirming their response to a possible shooting shortly after 2 p.m on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses inside the church reported hearing multiple shots being fired during the Spanish-speaking service, which had just begun. Chaos ensued as churchgoers scrambled to find safety, with one witness describing the sound of 20 to 30 gunshots.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez revealed that a possible suspect was shot by deputies, but it remains unclear if there are additional suspects or if anyone has been apprehended. The exact number of shots fired and potential injuries have not been confirmed by authorities at this time.
In response to the incident, ABC13 crews were present at the scene, capturing footage of crowds of people, including children, being evacuated from the worship center. These individuals are being taken to Lamar High School to be reunited with their families, as several were separated amidst the chaos.
A video shared with Eyewitness News offers a glimpse into the panic and confusion occurring inside the church as gunfire rang out, prompting people to flee. As investigations continue, the Houston Police Department has advised drivers to avoid the area, and at 3 p.m., the feeder road near Highway 69 at Edloe Street was closed.
Eyewitness News is actively gathering facts on this developing situation and will provide live updates throughout the evening. Stay tuned to ABC13 newscasts for the latest information on the active shooter incident at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston.