Genesse Moreno: Woman who opened fire at Houston megachurch honored in special service after her death

Houston Megachurch Prepares for Special Service Following Tragic Shooting Incident

Lakewood Church, a prominent Houston megachurch led by celebrity pastor Joel Osteen, is gearing up for a special service this Sunday, a week after a devastating shooting incident took place within its premises.

The church, which has been closed since the shooting on February 11, is set to reopen its doors to worshippers for a service of healing and restoration. The incident, which saw a woman open fire in the church hallway before being shot dead by security officers, left attendees in shock and fear.

Genesse Moreno, the 36-year-old woman responsible for the shooting, entered the church with her 7-year-old son between Sunday services and started firing shots. Despite not making it to the main sanctuary, the chaotic scene resulted in two people being injured, including Moreno’s son who sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remains hospitalized.

The motive behind Moreno’s actions and how she acquired the AR-style rifle used in the shooting are still under investigation. Her former mother-in-law, Walli Carranza, disclosed to The Associated Press that Moreno had a history of mental health issues and blamed systemic failures and lenient gun laws for the tragedy.

In a recent video message shared on social media, Pastor Joel Osteen expressed gratitude for God’s protection during the ordeal and emphasised the importance of coming together as a community in times of adversity. Osteen encouraged worshippers not to succumb to fear but to stand strong in their faith.

Despite the harrowing incident, Osteen remains steadfast in his belief that the church should continue to be a safe space for all. He stressed that the shooting should not deter people from attending services and gathering in worship.

Authorities have yet to determine what prompted Moreno to carry out the attack at Lakewood Church. Records show that Moreno had sporadically attended services at the church over the past few years, but there is no record of her presence after 2022.

The incident has raised concerns about mental health awareness and gun control measures in Texas, where a lack of a \”red flag\” law complicates efforts to prevent such tragedies. Moreno, who used multiple aliases, was identified as female based on past police reports and interviews.

Joel Osteen, who leads a congregation of around 45,000 individuals each week at Lakewood Church, is renowned for his televised sermons and positive message of faith. The church, housed in a former basketball arena, is considered one of the largest megachurches in the United States.

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