Chaos Erupts Across Texas During Easter Weekend

From church thefts to drug-filled Easter eggs, the holiday brings out the worst in some Texans

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:03am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked open Easter egg revealing a small bag of marijuana inside, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the bizarre and troubling incidents of drug-filled Easter eggs discovered in Texas.An Easter celebration gone awry, as law enforcement uncovers the dark underbelly of holiday traditions in Texas.Lufkin Today

Easter is typically a time for family, faith, and fun, but in Texas, the holiday has also seen its fair share of criminal activity over the years. From stealing thousands of dollars worth of meat from a Dallas church to hiding marijuana in Easter eggs at local parks, Texans have found creative - and illegal - ways to celebrate the season. Shootings have also plagued the Easter weekend in the state, including the infamous 1934 murders of two police officers by Bonnie and Clyde. And in one recent case, a woman was caught on camera shoplifting Easter goods from a Walmart in Round Rock.

Why it matters

These incidents highlight the darker side of the Easter holiday in Texas, where the joyous occasion has sometimes brought out criminal behavior and even violence. The stories reflect broader issues of property crime, drug use, and gun violence that plague parts of the state, even during traditionally family-friendly celebrations.

The details

In 2014, two men stole around $2,000 worth of meat from the Burning Bush church in Dallas on Easter Sunday, loading the goods into a Dodge van and fleeing the scene. In 2025, a man named Avante Nicholson hid marijuana in Easter eggs and distributed them at parks and a motel in Lufkin. Texas has also seen a number of shootings occur around the Easter holiday, including the 1934 murders of two police officers by Bonnie and Clyde, and more recent incidents in Houston in 2023 and Lubbock in 2024. And in 2024, a woman named Elosia was caught on police body cam footage shoplifting Easter eggs and merchandise from a Walmart in Round Rock.

  • On April 20, 2014, two men stole meat from a church in Dallas.
  • In 2025, a man hid marijuana in Easter eggs in Lufkin.
  • On April 9, 2023, a shooting occurred in Houston.
  • In 2024, a shooting took place in Lubbock.
  • On April 1, 2024, a woman was caught shoplifting Easter goods in Round Rock.

The players

Burning Bush Church

A church in Dallas that had thousands of dollars worth of meat stolen from it on Easter Sunday in 2014.

Avante Nicholson

A man in Lufkin, Texas who hid marijuana in Easter eggs and distributed them at local parks and a motel in 2025.

Javoris Potier

A victim of a shooting that occurred in Houston on April 9, 2023.

Elosia

A woman caught on police body cam footage shoplifting Easter eggs and merchandise from a Walmart in Round Rock, Texas in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We must find and prosecute those responsible for stealing from our church on this holy day.”

— Pastor Michael Simmons, Pastor, Burning Bush Church

“Hiding drugs in Easter eggs is a new low, even for Texas. We need to crack down on this kind of behavior.”

— Sheriff Hank Wilcox, Lufkin Police Department

What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate the various Easter-related crimes across Texas, and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help solve these cases.

The takeaway

These incidents underscore the need for greater community engagement, youth outreach, and crime prevention efforts in Texas, even during traditionally joyous holidays like Easter. Local leaders and law enforcement must work together to address the root causes driving this criminal behavior and ensure all Texans can celebrate the season safely.