In a tragic incident at Lakewood Church in Houston, a woman armed with a long rifle entered the premises on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by a young child, and began firing shots, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. Two off-duty law enforcement officers, a Houston police officer and a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent, responded swiftly and engaged the woman, resulting in her death at the scene. The woman, estimated to be around 30-35 years old, was reportedly wearing a trench coat.

Unfortunately, during the chaotic shooting, a 5-year-old child was struck and is now in critical condition at a local hospital. It remains unclear at this time who fired the shot that injured the child or the nature of the child's relationship to the shooter.

Authorities reported that a 57-year-old man, who appeared to be unconnected to the incident, also suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and is currently seeking medical treatment.

Chief Finner commended the actions of the responding officers, emphasizing that their quick response prevented a potential catastrophe. He expressed his gratitude to them for their bravery and dedication in confronting the heavily armed shooter.

Investigations into the incident are underway, and both law enforcement officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave while the probe is ongoing. Authorities initially received information that the woman had claimed to have a bomb, but subsequent searches of her vehicle and backpack yielded no explosives. Additionally, the woman was observed spraying a substance on the ground, the nature of which is yet to be determined.

Lakewood Church, a renowned megachurch located approximately six miles from downtown Houston, confirmed reports of "shots fired" and alerted the presence of law enforcement at the scene. Parishioners, including one witness waiting for the Spanish language service to commence, described moments of panic and chaos as shots rang out in the church. They were quickly instructed by church ushers to take cover and evacuate.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez initially stated that a deputy from his department had fired the shot, but later clarified that other agencies were responsible for discharging their firearms. Harris County Sheriff's Office and Houston police are working together to gather further information about the incident.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his condolences, stating that his heart goes out to those affected by the tragic shooting and the entire Lakewood Church community. He assured that local and state officials are actively involved in supporting the affected community and seeking justice for the perpetrator.

Lakewood Church, originally established in the 1950s by Joel Osteen's father and now located in a converted sports arena, is a revered religious institution in Houston. The church, known for its large congregation, offers services in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.

As investigations continue, the community mourns the senseless loss of life and offers prayers for the recovery of the injured child. The full details surrounding the motive behind the shooting remain unknown, leaving the community in shock and seeking answers.