Heavy police presence can be seen surrounding Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church after reports of an active shooter in southwest Houston on Sunday.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a possible shooting at the megachurch near the Southwest Freeway shortly after 2 p.m.
The 2 p.m. Spanish-speaking service had just begun when chaos erupted. A witness told Eyewitness News that she heard several shots being fired while in the choir room.
“The whole church started praying and declaring Jesus’ name,” she said. “I was like, ‘This might be the last time I get to pray, that I get to glorify the name of Jesus, so I’m going to do this.'”
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a possible suspect was shot by deputies. It is unclear if there is more than one suspect or if anyone has been detained.
ABC13 crews were at the church, where crowds of people, including children, could be seen evacuating the worship center. Churchgoers are being taken to Lamar High School to reunite with families after several were separated amid the havoc.
Video shared with Eyewitness News shows a perspective from inside the church when rapid gunfire can be heard, and people begin to scurry.
One man said he heard 20 to 30 gunshots when he ran out of the megachurch with his three young daughters. Authorities have not confirmed how many shots were fired or if there are any injuries.
