– Houston megachurch shooter identification
– AR-style rifle used in attack at Houston megachurch.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
HOUSTON – The individual who opened fire at a Texas megachurch over the weekend, before being fatally shot by security officers, has been identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno. According to search warrant documents released by the Montgomery County district attorney’s office on Monday, Moreno was armed with an AR-style rifle during the attack.
The shooting took place at Lakewood Church in Houston, led by celebrity pastor Joel Osteen. The motive behind the attack, which occurred during a busy service, remains unclear.
The search warrant affidavit, requesting FBI assistance, aimed to retrieve electronic devices found at Moreno’s residence in Conroe, located approximately 40 miles north of Houston.
According to the affidavit, Moreno pointed the weapon at security officers, who then shot and killed the assailant. Two individuals, a 5-year-old boy and a man in his 50s, were injured in the shooting. The boy is in critical condition, and his relationship to Moreno remains unknown.
Lakewood Church, one of the largest megachurches in the United States with a weekly attendance of 45,000 people, was at the center of the incident. Pastor Joel Osteen expressed gratitude that the shooting did not occur during the earlier and larger Sunday morning service, acknowledging that it could have had more devastating consequences.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner provided details about the shooter, describing them as wearing a trenchcoat and backpack while armed with a long rifle upon entering the church. Finner praised the off-duty officers, one from the Houston Police Department and another from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, for their swift response and neutralizing the threat.
Authorities discovered no explosives despite the shooter’s claim of possessing a bomb. Nevertheless, precautionary measures were taken due to the presence of a “yellow color rope and substances consistent with the manufacture of explosive devices,” as mentioned in the search warrant affidavit.
Eyewitnesses recounted their terrifying experiences during the shooting. Alan Guity, a long-time member of the church, described how he and his mother sought safety on the floor of the sanctuary upon hearing the gunshots. They remained there for approximately five minutes before receiving confirmation that it was safe to exit the building.
Joel Osteen, who took over leadership of Lakewood Church after his father’s passing in 1999, is known for promoting the prosperity gospel. His teachings emphasize material and physical well-being as signs of God’s favor. Osteen’s televised services reach audiences in approximately 100 countries, and the renovation of the church’s arena cost nearly $100 million.
In 2017, Osteen faced criticism for not immediately opening the church to shelter victims of Hurricane Harvey. However, he eventually provided refuge to those seeking shelter, responding to the public’s outcry.
The investigation into the motive behind the shooting at Lakewood Church and the relationship between Moreno and the injured boy continues. Houston authorities commend the actions of the off-duty officers and stress that the situation could have been much worse if not for their intervention.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident, worshippers and leaders alike hope for healing and unity moving forward.
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– Houston megachurch shooter
– AR-style rifle used in attack.
