– Long-tailed keyword 1: “Shooter at Joel Osteen’s megachurch bearing rifle”
– Long-tailed keyword 2: “Palestine rifle incident at Joel Osteen’s megachurch”.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Details of the Tragic Incident Unfold
On Sunday afternoon, a woman was fatally shot at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston. According to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter, the woman was carrying an assault-style rifle with the word “Palestine” written on it. This shocking revelation has raised concerns and prompted further investigation into the motive behind the attack.
The shooter, identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, not only brandished the weapon but also made several statements during the incident. However, the officials have refrained from disclosing the nature of these statements. It is worth noting that Moreno had previously gone by another, male name, adding an additional layer of complexity to the investigation.
In a disturbing turn of events, Moreno brought her young son along with her to the church. During the incident, she claimed to have a bomb. However, upon searching her vehicle, law enforcement officials confirmed that no explosive devices were present.
Records indicate that Moreno had been involved in multiple prior arrests since 2005. These arrests included charges such as unlawful carrying of a weapon, evading arrest, and assault on a public official, the latter of which resulted in a plea agreement for a lesser charge.
During the altercation, two off-duty officers at the church responded by returning fire, ultimately striking and killing Moreno at approximately 1:50 p.m. Tragically, the young child accompanying Moreno was also injured during the incident and is currently in critical condition.
According to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, the child is approximately 5 years old. One of the off-duty officers involved in the incident is an agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, while the other is a Houston police officer. Their swift actions undoubtedly prevented further harm.
Law enforcement officials are now diligently investigating a wide range of potential motives, considering the inscription on the weapon. While terrorism and hate crime-related motives have not been ruled out, a conclusive determination has not yet been made.
The shooting occurred between services as people were arriving for the Spanish service, which typically draws an attendance of around 45,000 individuals. Lakewood Church is renowned as one of the largest megachurches in the country.
In the wake of the tragedy, Joel Osteen expressed his profound shock and offered prayers for the injured. He expressed his confusion and stated, “We don’t understand why all these things happen, but we know God’s in control.”
Osteen later took to Facebook to address his congregation, urging them to find solace in their faith during these trying times. He emphasized the importance of unity and support within the community, stating, “Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. Together, we will rise above this tragedy and stand firm in our commitment to love and support one another.”
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1. “Joel Osteen’s megachurch shooter brandished rifle with ‘Palestine’ bearing”
2. “Officials reveal rifle with ‘Palestine’ marking used at Joel Osteen’s megachurch shooting”.
