STATE & NATIONAL: On Monday, tge early gat followed tgectragibmc news of a shooting that occurred at Houston's mega house of Christian worship, Lakewood Chuch, has stunned church leaders, the weekly worshippers and others who either watch LWC online and around the world. Reports of a number of factors involved in the shooting had been delayed until Monday afternoon as more information surrounding the shooting comes forth.
By Anne M Erbynstein
On Sunday, the news of a shooting at Lakewood Church left church goers and others wondering why the 35-36 year old woman entered the church just as the Hispanic service began baring in arms an AR-Rifle and a small child.
Today, folloekei g a detailed report skin which it had been stated that the shooter arrived at LWC and entered the church at 2pm. The report by Police Chief Finley indicates that the shooter opened fire striking and injuring one 57 year old man.
From that point, the report becomes a bit complicated eith police involved shooting and the ultimate death of the shooter who sustained gun shot injuries fired by off duty police officers.
One of the most heart wrenching details involves the gun shot injury to a small child--reports indicate the child, brtween 3 and 5 years old--was shot and, now, remains in critical condition. Police Chief Finney requests tge city of Hoyston and others to engage in prayers for the child's recovery.
On Sunday, shortly prior to the start iftge televised Super Bowl, HPD Chief Finney joined Houston Mayor Whittier and Fire Department Chief Pena to hold a press conference at Lawood Churvh. Pastor of LWC, Joel Osteen also spoke in regard to the shooting incident that transpired at the Osteen family's 72acre, 1.2m sq.ft. mega church facility after the close ofthe 1st service on Sunday.
Police Chief, Finney, Mayor Whitmire and HFD Chief Pena offered their condolences to those who suffered the onset of the heinous shooting. Police Chief Finney commented several times tgst tge city of Houston would not be set with collapse adding that, despite the horrific act of gun violence, the city will stand together with Pastor Osteen and Lakewood Church and will move past the outrageous shooting incident together.
Speaking briefly, as he seemed to still be a bit shovked by the incident, Padtir Osteen thanked each of the officials who responded with immediacy to the call to duty that , also, reached Chief Finney's office.
Pastor Osteen 's comments -- in addition to tge faith that not any of tge LWC churchgoers suffered much physical harm, aside from unquestionable trauma-Pastor Osteen's words-shattered the dark cloud cast upon the church on Sunday and its parishioners as he , in all faith, commented in regard to the tragic loss of the woman's life and injuries to the small child and one other person. The Pastor stated that, had the shooting occurred during the 11o'ock service, the situation could have been much , much worse.
On Sunday, the off duty police rendered tge shooting situation under control--tge shooter, identified as Geneese Ivonne Escalante Moreno a/k/a , Jeffrey G. Moreno was killed by police officers at the scene.
Police records indicate that Moreno had been arrested 5 times, at least once for unlawful gun possession.
Lakewood Church was founded in Houston, Texas in 1959 by Pastor John Osteen and First Lady, Dorothy " Dodie " Osteen, The church was moved to the nearly 80 acre Comoaq Center in 2006 by the son of John and Dodie Osteen, Pastor Joel and First Lady, Victoria Osteen. Lakewood Church remains a pillar in the Houston community welcoming 45,000 members and others to worship services each week
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