Two off-duty officers shot down the attacker, a woman in her 30s who entered the temple armed with a rifle and injured a minor, who was in critical condition. The Lakewood church is regularly attended by 45,000 people each week, making it the third largest in the United States.
Pastor Joel Osteen stated that he was “foggy-minded” after the violence and that he kept the injured in his prayers. Houston Mayor John Whitmire regretted that the act of violence took place while people were preparing to practice their faith.