Chilling Bodycam Footage Released of Shooting at Joel Osteen’s Megachurch in Houston

On Monday, Houston police released chilling bodycam footage showing the moment a shooter opened fire at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church on 11 February.

The footage, captured by two officers at the scene, shows a female shooter opening fire, injuring a 57-year-old man and a seven-year-old boy, believed to be her son. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, but it is believed to be related to a familial dispute with her ex-husband’s Jewish family.

In the video, people, including children, can be seen running from the gunfire as officers bravely approach the suspect. Gunfire can be heard in the background as officers shout commands at the shooter to put down her weapon.

At one point, an officer can be heard saying, “She may have a bomb,” as the shooter threatens to “blow up” the church. However, a search of the shooter’s backpack revealed no explosives.

The shooter, identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, entered the church armed with an AR-15 rifle with the word “Palestine” across it. After firing multiple rounds, she was confronted by two off-duty officers and was killed in an exchange of gunfire.

Her son, who was struck in the head during the incident, remains in critical condition at the hospital. The female officer in the bodycam footage can be heard praying over the seven-year-old boy.

Joel Osteen, the church’s lead pastor, expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, stating that the congregation would continue to pray and move forward. He emphasized that the shooting could have been much worse and urged everyone to trust in God’s control.

Houston Police are still investigating Moreno’s motive, with some antisemitic writings recovered from her possession. It is believed that the shooting stemmed from a family dispute, but officials caution against speculation as the investigation is ongoing.

Christopher Hassig, the city’s police commander, revealed that Moreno legally purchased the AR-style rifle in December, adding another layer of complexity to the tragic incident.