Almost five hours following a tragic shooting incident at Lakewood Church in Houston, Pastor Joel Osteen appealed to the congregation on Sunday night, urging everyone to unite in ongoing prayers for the boy’s recovery and for the restoration of peace.

“Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement,” Osteen said in a statement obtained by Chron early on Sunday evening. “May the healing hands of God touch the lives of everyone involved and provide comfort during this difficult time.

During a Sunday press conference, authorities confirmed that the assailant at Lakewood Church is deceased.

A 5-year-old child, caught in the crossfire between responding officers and the suspect, is in critical condition and has been transported to Texas Children’s Hospital.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, addressing the media outside Lakewood, revealed that the suspect was a woman aged between 30 and 35.

The entrance on the western side of the building was breached by the suspect at 1:53 p.m., wielding a long gun, dressed in a trench coat, and carrying a backpack.

Accompanying her was a small child, approximately four or five years old, Chron reported.

Two off-duty officers at the church, one a veteran Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officer and the other a 28-year-old HPD officer, incapacitated the woman.

Following the shooting, she claimed to have a bomb, although subsequent searches of her person and vehicle yielded no explosives, as per authorities.

Before succumbing to her injuries, the woman purportedly sprayed some substance on the ground, as reported by Chief Finner.

In the exchange, a 57-year-old man was also wounded but is in stable condition after being taken to a hospital.

Written by B.C. Begley