– Boy critically injured in Texas megachurch shooting
– Son of suspect in attack, police say.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : 
The young boy who was critically injured in a shooting at a Texas megachurch on Sunday has been identified as the son of the shooter, according to authorities. The shooter, identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, had a history of mental illness and had been placed under emergency detention in 2016. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown at this time.
Using an AR-style rifle, Moreno opened fire at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church before being killed by off-duty officers working security. The shooter’s son is still in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. Initially believed to be a 5-year-old, the boy’s age has not been confirmed.
This is an ongoing investigation, and authorities are working to establish the motive behind the attack. Search warrant documents released by the Montgomery County district attorney’s office reveal that Moreno was armed with an AR-style rifle during the incident. The affidavit also requested FBI assistance in retrieving data from electronic devices found in Moreno’s home in Conroe, located approximately 40 miles north of Houston.
In addition to the shooter’s son, another man in his 50s was injured in the shooting. The injured man was shot in the hip. The relationship between Moreno and the injured man remains unclear.
Lakewood Church, led by celebrity pastor Joel Osteen, is one of the largest megachurches in the United States, with a weekly attendance of 45,000 people. Osteen expressed gratitude that the shooting did not occur during the larger Sunday morning service, as the consequences could have been even more severe.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner disclosed that the shooter entered the church wearing a trenchcoat and backpack, armed with a long rifle. Moreno began shooting before being confronted by two off-duty officers, a Houston police officer, and a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent, who returned fire. The shooter claimed there was a bomb, but no explosives were found during a search of the scene. The search warrant affidavit mentioned a “yellow color rope and substances consistent with the manufacture of explosive devices” found in Moreno’s possession.
Authorities praised the off-duty officers for their quick response in neutralizing the shooter. Despite the potential for more casualties, the officers successfully engaged the shooter and prevented further harm.
The incident left worshippers at Lakewood Church in shock and fear. Alan Guity, a long-time member of the church, recalled hearing gunshots while resting inside the sanctuary as his mother worked as an usher.
The injured boy was immediately taken to a Houston children’s hospital, but it remains unclear how he was struck by gunfire. Chief Finner declined to speculate on whether the boy was shot by one of the off-duty officers, but emphasized that the shooter’s actions put the child in danger.
As the investigation continues, authorities aim to uncover the shooter’s motives and gain a clearer understanding of the events leading up to the tragic incident at Lakewood Church.
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– Boy critically injured in Texas megachurch shooting
– Son of suspect in attack, police say.
