Lakewood Church shooting: Footage shows cops firing at suspect as she yelled about having a bomb

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

HOUSTON, TEXAS: Body cam footage from Houston police was made public on Monday, February 26. It showed off-duty police officers confronting an individual who had opened fire at pastor Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston earlier this month, drawing their weapons, before she was fatally shot.

The video also included indistinct shots of the shooter's young son, who was hurt by the gunshots while being carried to the church by his mother. Officers were heard pleading for medical attention for the boy.

Lakewood Church gunfire incident footage released

Video from a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy and two Houston police officers who were handling security at Lakewood Church were made public. It featured cops crouching with their handguns drawn while loud, continuous gunfire erupted around them.

One body camera captured people conversing before they abruptly stopped when the first gunshot was heard. Some started running, confused, and then there was a flurry of gunfire.

When they heard gunfire, officers ran toward the sound of bystanders hiding in rooms and hallways.

According to the police, on February 11 between Sunday services, Genesse Moreno, 36, entered the church with her 7-year-old son and started shooting an AR-style rifle. Moreno was shot and killed by two off-duty officers after failing to reach the main sanctuary.

The shooting left two people hurt, including Moreno's young son. He is still in the hospital after being shot in the head.

Lakewood security camera footage, which was also made public by the police on Monday, showed Moreno pulling up to the church in a white SUV, getting her son Samuel out of the back seat, and making her way inside.

The woman wore loose-fitting trench coat in a tan color, boots, striped pants, and a black shirt.

Footage shows shooter's son covering his ears

As authorities closed in on the shooting scene, gunshots could be heard resounding throughout the church building in the video.

Before pulling the trigger, an officer can be heard yelling, "Put the weapon down, now." "She may have a bomb," a second officer warned.

In one audio-less footage, after his mother left the screen, the boy could be seen covering his ears. When she got close to him, he extended his arms to embrace her.

Then she left the screen once more. It looked like the boy was in a recessed doorway.

"You killed my son," Moreno was heard saying in the video. Later on, she declared, “Stand down, I have a bomb. I have a (expletive) bomb.” Gunfire could be heard while she spoke, Pennlive reported.

After the child was hurt in the shooting, pictures of him wearing orange pants and a yellow shirt became hazy. Upon noticing the small child lying face-up on the carpeted hallway, several officers called for paramedics.

One officer radioed in, “We have a kid that’s down, about three bullets to his head."

Who fired the shots that injured the boy is still unknown, according to Houston police.

Afterwards, an officer said, "Shooter is down," over the radio. "Looks like she’s got something strapped to her chest.”

The bomb squad was requested by another officer.

Investigation is underway into death of Genesse Moreno

Authorities later stated that no explosives were discovered, despite the fact that a blue backpack was visible next to her when she was falling.

As reported by Pennlive, in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner stated that the video "may be unsettling to members of the community."

“While we know there are unanswered questions, this is still an active investigation,” Finner said. “We will continue to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to thoroughly examine all aspects of this incident.”

Reporters were informed by the police that they were still attempting to ascertain Moreno's motive and find out more about how she acquired the AR-style rifle that she used.

The boy's grandmother, Walli Carranza, stated in Facebook posts from last week that her grandson, Samuel, was breathing comfortably without a breathing tube. Samuel has had six surgeries, according to Carranza.

“Will he be able to have any semblance of a normal life?" Carranza stated in a post on Saturday, February 24, "I have no idea."