Genesse Moreno: Shooter at Joel Osteen’s Texas megachurch had 'Palestine' written on her rifle
HOUSTON, TEXAS: The Texas Police Department has identified the individual responsible for opening fire at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church on Sunday as Genesse Ivonne Moreno.
The shooter was fatally shot by two off-duty police officers who responded to the incident. According to police reports, two individuals were injured in the shooting - a 57-year-old man and the child who was accompanying the shooter.
According to a CNN report, the child was Moreno's son, and remains in the hospital Monday in critical condition after being shot in the head. Police said it was unclear who fired the shot that injured the child. A search warrant identified identified the injured man as Tom George Thomas, who left hospital after receiving treatment for his injuries.
Additionally, Fox News reported that Moreno, originally from El Salvador, had a lengthy criminal record and previously used several names. Further information regarding the shooter has been revealed following the investigation.
Who is Genesse Ivonne Moreno?
The individual responsible for the shooting at Lakewood Church has been identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, who reportedly entered Church wearing a trenchcoat and carrying a backpack.
The Lakewood church is led by Pastor Joel Osteen.
Moreno who used both male and female aliases, but according to Houston Police Commander Chris Hassig, investigators determined that Moreno identified as female based on past police reports.
Moreno had a documented history of mental illness, including being placed under emergency detention in 2016, although no further details were provided.
Police unveiled Moreno's residence and criminial records
Authorities conducted a search at Moreno's residence located in Conroe, a city situated more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of the church.
Records from Harris County, where Houston is situated, indicated that Moreno, under the aliases Jeffery Escalante-Moreno or Jeffery Escalante, faced charges in six criminal cases spanning from 2005 to 2011.
These charges varied from forging a $100 bill to theft offenses involving socks, hats, and makeup, as well as assault for kicking a detention officer.
The assault conviction in August 2009 resulted in Moreno serving a 180-day jail sentence.
In a lengthy 2022 application for a protective order against Moreno's ex-mother-in-law, which Moreno drafted without legal representation, Moreno alleged threats and surveillance and claimed to have received text messages from FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Furthermore, in a separate court petition to become the conservator of Moreno's son, the ex-mother-in-law asserted Moreno's mental illness and alleged neglect and abuse of the child.
What happened at Lakewood Church?
According to SCNOW, Investigators reported that Moreno and the child entered the church premises shortly before 2 pm.
Moreno brandished a gun at an unarmed security guard after Spanish service in the church.
Notably, Moreno seemed to have legally obtained the rifle used in the attack in December. Additionally, police disclosed that Moreno was in possession of a .22 caliber rifle upon entering the church. Reports said that the word "Palestine" was inscribed on the rifle used in the shooting.
Once inside, Moreno initiated gunfire, prompting the on-duty guards — off-duty Houston police officer Christopher Moreno and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Agent Adrian Herrera — to return fire, ultimately resulting in Moreno's demise.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner clarified that Christopher Moreno is unrelated to Genesse Moreno.
Houston Police Commander Chris Hassig specified that all gunfire occurred within a church hallway, with no violence extending into the main sanctuary. He characterized the altercation as a "gun battle" that endured for several minutes.
