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Accident – Death – Obituary News :

A Woman with a History of Mental Illness Fires Rifle Inside Houston Megachurch

By Christina Maxouris, CNN

Editor’s note: CNN’s John Miller, Sarah Engel, Paul P. Murphy, Ashley Killough, Ed Lavandera and Andy Rose contributed to this report.

(CNN) — A woman who opened fire with a rifle inside the renowned Lakewood Church in Houston on Sunday, injuring one man before being shot and killed by law enforcement, had a long history of mental illness, multiple arrests, and a family that had sought help from authorities to prevent her access to firearms, according to court documents and interviews.

The perpetrator, identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, entered the church, located just 6 miles from downtown Houston, and began shooting. She then turned her AR-15 rifle towards the officers, prompting them to defend themselves by shooting and killing her, as stated in a search warrant. Moreno’s 7-year-old son, who was with her, was also shot in the head and remains in critical condition.

Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the shooting, including whether mental health issues or a recent dispute with her ex-husband’s family played a role.

Court documents, social media posts, and information provided by law enforcement depict a troubled woman who had been struggling with mental illness for years, had gone through a bitter divorce and custody battle, and had a history of encounters with the law.

At the time of the shooting, Moreno was found to be in possession of two firearms, including the AR-15, which she had legally purchased in December. Her former mother-in-law had reportedly made repeated attempts to seek assistance from law enforcement and child protective services to prevent a tragedy like the one that unfolded on Sunday.

History of Mental Illness

Moreno had a documented mental health history and had been placed under an emergency detention order by Houston police officers in 2016. According to state law, individuals with mental illness can be detained when they pose a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others.

In 2022, Moreno’s former mother-in-law, Walli Carranza, filed a petition in Texas’ Montgomery County to become the conservator of Moreno’s son. Carranza alleged in an affidavit accompanying the petition that Moreno had been hospitalized for schizophrenia in 2016, and a psychiatrist had issued a “red flag warning” regarding her condition.

Carranza claimed that in 2020, she found a gun among Moreno’s belongings and reported it to the police in Colorado, where Moreno was residing with Carranza at the time. Colorado has laws in place to prevent individuals who may pose a risk to themselves or others from owning firearms. Carranza has expressed frustration that despite their efforts to seek help from authorities, Moreno was still allowed to possess guns.

Neighborhood Concerns and Previous Incidents

Neighbors of Moreno have reported raising concerns about her behavior and alleged threats. Some claimed to have experienced harassment and threats from her, leading them to organize a meeting with local authorities approximately five months before the shooting.

Records from the Texas Department of Public Safety show that Moreno, born in El Salvador, had a history of minor offenses over the past two decades, including drug possession, assault, illegal weapon possession, and forgery charges.

In a court transcript from a 2021 divorce proceeding, Moreno’s ex-husband stated that he sought a divorce due to her violent behavior and disregard for their son. The divorce was finalized in Montgomery County in 2022, and Moreno’s ex-husband lost custody of their son. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear.

According to court documents related to Carranza’s petition, Moreno’s son was born prematurely and with drugs in his system. Carranza accused Moreno of neglecting the child’s care, including improper feeding and failure to attend critical therapy appointments.

Investigation into Dispute with Ex-Husband’s Family

Authorities have found writings with antisemitic content connected to Moreno and are investigating whether a dispute with her ex-husband’s family, some of whom are Jewish, may have played a role in the shooting. The AR-15 rifle used by Moreno reportedly had a “Palestine” sticker on it.

In response to these findings, Carranza, who is a rabbi, emphasized in a Facebook post that the shooting had nothing to do with Judaism or Islam.

As the investigation continues, questions arise about Texas’ lack of a red flag law that could have prevented individuals with known mental illness from accessing firearms. The Department of Family and Protective Services in Texas is working alongside law enforcement to investigate the shooting.

Despite the previous attempts by Moreno’s family to seek help for her mental health issues, the tragic incident at Lakewood Church highlights the need for improved mental health support and measures to prevent individuals with mental illness from obtaining firearms.

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