A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, when 36-year-old Genesse Moreno opened fire inside the megachurch. Moreno, who has a lengthy criminal record and has gone by several male aliases, used an AR-15 rifle with the word “Palestine” across it, according to police. The shooter’s neighbors revealed that they had noticed red flags about Moreno’s behavior for several years.
Neighbours in the Conroe area, a suburb of Houston, reported that Moreno often intimidated them with guns and made Nazi salutes, creating a climate of fear in their own neighborhood. One neighbor recounted how Moreno would bring gun cases and crossbows in and out of her property while making offensive gestures and hurling insults. Another neighbor claimed that Moreno scrawled swastikas on her property and even attempted to run them over. Despite reporting these incidents to the authorities multiple times, they felt their concerns were not taken seriously.
The shooting occurred when Moreno entered Lakewood Church armed with the rifle, dressed in a trench coat, and carrying a backpack. Shockingly, she had her 7-year-old son with her during the attack. Two off-duty officers exchanged gunfire with Moreno, resulting in her death. Tragically, the child was caught in the crossfire and sustained a gunshot wound to the head. He is currently in critical condition. Additionally, a 57-year-old man was shot in the leg but has since been released from the hospital.
Lakewood Church, led by renowned pastor Joel Osteen, is one of the largest Christian churches in the United States. The incident has left the community shaken and mourning the senseless violence that occurred within its walls.
The shooting has sparked discussions about mental health struggles, lax gun regulations, and the failure of the system to protect vulnerable individuals. Rabbi Walli Carranza, Moreno’s former mother-in-law, blamed the tragedy on a combination of Moreno’s mental health issues and inadequate gun control measures. She criticized Child Protective Services for not removing custody of the child from Moreno, who had a history of erratic and paranoid behavior. Carranza also called for stronger red flag laws that could have prevented Moreno from owning a weapon.
It has been revealed that Moreno had donated to Lakewood Church years before the shooting, as evidenced by a screenshot of a letter of appreciation she posted on social media in March 2020. The motive behind her donation remains unclear.
Moreno’s ex-husband, who is a registered sex offender, accused her of being abusive in divorce records. He described her as a diagnosed schizophrenic who stopped taking her medication and continued to use drugs during her pregnancy. Concerned for their son’s safety, he expressed fears that she would harm him due to her hatred and instability.
The neighbors who witnessed Moreno’s disturbing behavior over the years are now speaking out about their experiences. They express frustration at the lack of action taken despite their numerous reports. One neighbor, identified as Jill, recounts reporting Moreno’s actions to psychological officers who failed to respond. She emphasizes the importance of taking threats seriously, urging people to “see something, say something.”
The tragic incident at Lakewood Church serves as a reminder of the urgent need for improved mental health support, stronger gun control measures, and a more responsive system to protect vulnerable individuals. As the community mourns and seeks to heal, questions remain about what could have been done to prevent this horrific act of violence.
