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The tranquility of Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church was shattered by the rampage of a woman now identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno. The 36-year-old Houston church shooter was accompanied by her seven-year-old son.

She entered the megachurch, wielding an assault-style rifle bearing the word “Palestine”.  Authorities are investigating to find a motive for the violent attack.

The Houston Police held a press conference on Monday. Christopher Hassig, with the HPD homicide unit said that Moreno was dressed in a trench coat and carried a bag concealing her deadly arsenal. 

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Houston Church Shooter

She started shooting in a hallway when confronted by a security guard. In response to the shooting two off-duty police officers engaged in a gun battle.

The shooter fell to the ground fatally wounded. Officers said before she died, she threatened that she had a bomb, but no explosives were found in the area of the church.

She was also seen spraying a chemical before she opened fire. Houston Fire Department officials and a hazmat team reviewed the scene.

Moreno’s son suffered a gunshot wound to the head. And was rushed to the hospital. He is reportedly in critical condition.

A 57-year-old man was also wounded in the leg. He was treated and released from the hospital.

Many of the witnesses were grateful that the two off-duty officers showed courage when a rifle was pointing at “point blank range” towards them.

“They were a wall that existed between worshippers and terror. Between freedom of religion and murder,” Kevin Lilly, chairman of TABC said.

Motive

Moreno’s motives for the crimes are still being investigated.

Police say she had a dispute with her ex-husband’s Jewish family.  Antisemitic writings were discovered in Moreno’s possession and a “Palestine” sticker was on her gun.

Moreno also has an extensive criminal record including arrests including for assault, marijuana possession, forgery, theft, evading and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

She was previously used several aliases including both male and female names. According to Hassig, “In all the investigation to this point, she has been identified the entire time as female.”

Along with run-ins with the law there is a history of mental health problems. And failed to disclose these facts when she acquired her guns in December 2023.

Lakewood Church

Lakewood Church is one of the largest Christian churches in the US. It has a big online presence and a capacity to seat a congregation of 16,000.

Joel Osteen, the pastor, is a well-known religious leader.

He spoke to the press after the shootings. “It could’ve been a lot worse. We know God’s in control,” he said.