– Unclear motive after woman fires in Joel Osteen’s megachurch
– Trenchcoat-wearing woman opens fire in Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : HOUSTON — A shooter’s motive for opening fire in celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s megachurch remained unclear Monday as authorities searched the suspect’s home in suburban Houston and identified the weapon used in the attack as an AR-style rifle.
The house in Conroe, Texas, is more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Lakewood Church, where Sunday’s shooting in between busy services sent worshippers scrambling to find safety.
The shooter was identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, according to an affidavit seeking a search warrant released by the Montgomery County district attorney’s office. Police say Moreno was shot and killed by two off-duty officers working security at the church, one of the largest megachurches in the U.S.
Two other individuals were shot and wounded, including a 5-year-old boy who entered the church with the shooter and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Joel Osteen, the pastor of Lakewood Church, expressed that the violence could have been even worse if the shooting had occurred during the earlier and larger late Sunday morning service.
The incident took place just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, causing panic and chaos among the worshippers inside the massive church, which was formerly the home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. According to search warrant documents released by a prosecutor’s office, the shooter was armed with an AR-style rifle.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner revealed that the woman entered the church with the young boy, but their relationship remains unknown. The woman initiated the shooting and was confronted by two off-duty officers, a Houston police officer, and an agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, who returned fire. After being shot, the woman claimed there was a bomb, but a search of the area did not uncover any explosives.
Finner commended the officers for their swift response, stating, “She had a long gun, and it could have been worse. But they stepped up and did their job.”
The identities of the victims have not been released by the authorities. It remains unclear how the young boy, who was taken to a Houston children’s hospital, was injured by gunfire. When asked about the possibility of the boy being shot by one of the off-duty officers returning fire, Finner declined to speculate but placed the blame on the suspect, stating, “That female, that suspect, put that baby in danger. I’m going to put that blame on her.” Another victim, a man in his 50s, sustained a hip injury.
Alan Guity, a long-time member of the church, described the terrifying moments when gunshots rang out while he was resting inside the sanctuary. Guity, along with his mother who was working as an usher, immediately sought cover on the floor as the gunfire continued. They remained there for approximately five minutes, praying and waiting until it was deemed safe to leave the building. Witnessing the fear and distress of others, Guity and his mother attempted to provide solace by worshiping and singing in Spanish.
Joel Osteen, 60, took over as the pastor of Lakewood Church after the passing of his father, John Osteen, who founded the church in 1999. Under Joel Osteen’s leadership, the church has experienced significant growth and currently attracts a weekly attendance of 45,000 people, making it the third-largest megachurch in the U.S.
Osteen is known for preaching the prosperity gospel, which emphasizes that God desires his followers to be wealthy and healthy. He has authored several best-selling books, including “Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.” His televised services reach approximately 100 countries, and the renovation of the church’s arena cost nearly $100 million.
In 2017, when Hurricane Harvey struck Houston, Osteen faced criticism on social media for not immediately offering the church as a shelter. However, he subsequently opened the church to those seeking refuge from the flooding.
Overall, the motive behind the shooting at Joel Osteen’s megachurch remains unclear as authorities continue their investigation. The incident has shaken the worshippers and the community, highlighting the need for heightened security measures in places of worship..
– “Woman in trenchcoat opens fire in Joel Osteen’s megachurch”
– “Unclear motive behind woman opening fire in Joel Osteen’s megachurch”.
