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HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas sheriff mentioned Sunday (Feb. 11) {that a} shooter was down after a taking pictures on the Houston megachurch of celeb pastor Joel Osteen on Sunday afternoon.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez didn’t instantly present extra particulars in his submit on X, the platform previously often called Twitter. Lakewood Church had earlier posted on social media there was an “energetic scenario involving photographs fired” at one of many largest megachurches within the U.S. throughout its sometimes busy Sunday companies.
A information convention was scheduled for later by police and different regulation enforcement businesses. A heavy presence of police surrounded the Houston megachurch.
Worshippers may very well be seen leaving the constructing as authorities evacuated the church, and authorities mentioned they have been persevering with to methodically search the constructing as a precaution. About 45,000 folks attend weekly companies at Lakewood, making it the third largest megachurch within the U.S., in line with the Hartford Institute for Faith Analysis. Osteen’s televised sermons attain about 100 international locations.
Earlier, Lakewood Church posted on X, previously often called Twitter, shortly afterrward that there was an “energetic scenario involving photographs fired” on the church.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mentioned “our hearts are with these impacted by at this time’s tragic taking pictures and all the Lakewood Church neighborhood in Houston. Locations of worship are sacred.”
Witnesses instructed reporters that they heard a number of gunshots in regards to the time the church’s 2 p.m. Spanish language service was set to start.
Christina Rodriguez, who was contained in the church, instructed Houston tv station KTRK that she “began screaming, ‘There’s a shooter, there’s a shooter,’” after which she and others ran to the again facet of a library contained in the constructing, then stood in a stairway earlier than they have been instructed it was protected to depart.
Folks stood outdoors the constructing as authorities evacuated the church. Officers later introduced a reunification heart had been arrange at a close-by health club for folks to search out their family members.
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