Genesse Moreno: Neighbors of Lakewood Church shooter speak out on her disturbing routine involving guns and Nazi salutes
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
HOUSTON, TEXAS: Genesse Ivonne Moreno, the woman behind the tragic Lakewood Church shooting, has been exposed for her menacing behavior, hateful relationship with her son, and a history of mental illness that spans over a decade.
The gruesome incident unfolded at Pastor Joel Osteen's iconic Houston congregation on Sunday, February 11, leaving the shooter's seven-year-old son critically injured and Moreno dead at the hands of off-duty security officers.
Genesse Moreno's troubled domestic environment
Neighbors of Moreno in Conroe, where the family lived, describe a daily ordeal of intimidation involving guns and crossbows. Reports reveal a contentious split with her son's father, a registered sex offender, and a custody battle that ended with Moreno gaining custody of the special-needs child, referred to only as 'the boy.'
Anonymous community members recall her erratic behavior, including aggressive driving maneuvers and a troubling affinity for displaying firearms. "Her way of intimidation was to bring the gun cases in and out, crossbows," said a neighbor. "She'd come out, have her gun cases, do heil Hitler, flip you off, call you the b-word, or something. It was something every day," as per Daily Mail.
Warning signs ignored
Despite a trail of police encounters dating back to 2005, court records show that authorities failed to intervene effectively. The child's grandmother, Walli Carranza, expressed frustration over the lack of action from Child Protective Services (CPS) and the police despite numerous requests for help.
"She had a particular kind of schizophrenia that caused her to become violent," Carranza said of Moreno. "She threatened her husband, my own son, and we still couldn't get intervention. We asked for help from CPS. ... We asked for help from police and received it many times but she was still allowed to own guns," as per KHOU.
Additionally, divorce records and arrest records dating back to 2005 paint a troubling picture of a woman with a history of drugs, theft, and assault. Moreno's alleged antisemitism is being investigated as a potential motive, with the child's grandmother pointing to her diagnosed schizophrenia as a red flag that went unaddressed by authorities.
Disturbing details from court documents, including a loaded gun in a toddler's diaper bag and bragging about a weapons stash on social media. As the investigation into the Lakewood Church shooting continues, Moreno's ability to legally purchase an assault rifle in December raises concerns about existing loopholes.
Tragedy unfolds at Lakewood Church
The chaotic scene at the megachurch, attended by thousands weekly, unfolded between services. Moreno entered Lakewood Church just before a service, armed with an AR-style rifle and a backpack.
Chaos ensued as "she sprayed some type of substance on the ground" and opened fire, critically injuring her son. Off-duty officers quickly neutralized the threat, preventing further casualties.
Police Chief Troy Finner hailed the officers for quickly confronting the woman, stating, "She had a long gun, and it could have been a lot worse." The motives of the gunwoman, who has previously contributed donations to Osteen's church, remain largely unkown.
