Genesse Ivonne Moreno Identified as Shooter at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston
A shocking incident took place on Sunday at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, when a shooter opened fire inside the place of worship. The shooter has been identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, according to confirmed reports from Fox News. Moreno, who was originally from El Salvador and had a lengthy criminal record, was killed by off-duty police officers who responded swiftly to the incident. Two individuals were injured in the shooting, including a 57-year-old man and a child who was accompanied by the shooter.
Initially, there were reports suggesting that the shooter was transgender. However, during a news conference on Monday, investigators clarified that Moreno was a woman and the biological mother of the 7-year-old child. The details surrounding the incident began to emerge, revealing that Moreno had pointed an AR-15 rifle at the responding officers, who then fired and killed her in self-defense.
One aspect that attracted attention was a message written on the rifle carried by Moreno. Preliminary reports indicated that it read “Free Palestine,” but investigators later confirmed that it simply said “Palestine.” While the motive behind this message remains unclear, it added another layer of complexity to an already tragic event.
Genesse Ivonne Moreno, aged 36, had a criminal history that included convictions for assaulting a police officer in 2009 and forgery in 2010. This information shed light on her troubled past and potential motivations for the shooting. Authorities launched a thorough investigation into Moreno’s background and were seen searching a property in Conroe, north of Houston, believed to be her residence.
The incident occurred just before the start of Lakewood Church’s 2 p.m. Spanish service on Sunday afternoon. Moreno entered the church wearing a backpack and a trench coat, armed with a long rifle and accompanied by the child. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner provided these details during a press briefing. Once the shooter began firing, off-duty officers engaged her and returned fire. Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene, while the child sustained a gunshot wound to the head and is not expected to survive, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities discovered that Moreno possessed two firearms, an AR-15 and a .22 caliber rifle. They intend to investigate how she acquired these weapons, revealing that one of them had been legally purchased in December. Additionally, antisemitic writings were found inside the vehicle Moreno used to drive to the church. While law enforcement did not disclose the contents of these writings, they suggested that they might be related to a familial dispute involving Moreno’s ex-husband and his Jewish family members.
The news of the shooting deeply affected Joel Osteen, who expressed gratitude towards law enforcement during a Sunday news conference. He stated that he was “devastated” by the incident and acknowledged that while the reasons behind such tragedies are often incomprehensible, he believes that God is ultimately in control. Texas Governor Greg Abbott also commented on the shooting, describing it as “tragic.”
As the investigation progresses, authorities will review body camera footage worn by the responding officers, as well as security camera footage from within the church. These sources of evidence will contribute to understanding the motive behind this horrifying act of violence.
The Lakewood Church shooting at the hands of Genesse Ivonne Moreno has shocked the community in Houston and left a lasting impact on those who witnessed the tragedy unfold. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of coming together in times of crisis.
