Authorities said on Monday that the individual who opened fire at a megachurch in Texas on Sunday before being killed by security personnel had a history of mental illness and used a rifle similar to an AR-style weapon during the incident, which also resulted in their kid, who was seven years old, suffering severe injuries.
During a press conference held in the afternoon, Houston Police Commander Chris Hassig revealed that Genesse Ivonne Moreno was the one responsible for the shooting that occurred at Lakewood Church.
A lone gunman, identified as Genesse Moreno, opened fire, resulting in the death of Moreno and critical injuries to her son.
Moreno, 36, who sometimes used male and female aliases, was determined to identify as female. Authorities revealed a history of mental illness, including an emergency detention in 2016.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner stated it’s too early to ascertain a motive for the shooting. Investigators are examining a dispute involving Moreno and her ex-husband’s family, alongside the discovery of antisemitic writings.
Moreno’s rifle had a “Palestine” sticker, and investigators believe she acted alone, describing her as a “lone wolf.”
Texas Megachurch Gun Battle
The violence unfolded when Moreno and her son entered the church, confronting an unarmed security guard.
A gun battle ensued in a church hallway, where off-duty officers Christopher Moreno and Adrian Herrera returned fire, ultimately killing Genesse Moreno. Despite the exchange, the violence did not spill into the main sanctuary.
The injured 57-year-old man, shot in the hip during the incident, has been discharged from the hospital. The condition of Moreno’s son remains critical with a head gunshot wound.
Though Moreno claimed a bomb was present, a search found no explosives. Lakewood Church, led by Joel Osteen, accommodates 45,000 weekly attendees, making it the third-largest megachurch in the US
The incident rattled worshippers, with eyewitnesses describing the harrowing moments during the gunfire. Joel Osteen, known for promoting the prosperity gospel, was not directly involved in the incident.
The investigation is still in progress, revealing details about the tragic incident that occurred within one of the nation’s largest congregations.
