– Long-tailed keyword: “woman fired inside Houston megachurch”
– Similar long-tailed keyword: “Houston megachurch shooting incident”.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Originally Published: 14 FEB 24 18:02 ET
Updated: 14 FEB 24 22:18 ET
Editor’s note: CNN’s John Miller, Sarah Engel, Paul P. Murphy, Ashley Killough, Ed Lavandera and Andy Rose contributed to this report.
(CNN) — A woman who fired a rifle inside a Houston megachurch on Sunday and was killed by law enforcement had a history of mental illness, a string of arrests spanning nearly two decades, and family members who had previously sought help from authorities to prevent her from accessing weapons, according to interviews and court documents.
The incident occurred at the famed Lakewood Church, located just 6 miles from downtown Houston. The woman, identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, entered the church on Sunday afternoon and began shooting, injuring one man before turning her AR-15 rifle towards the responding officers. The law enforcement officers shot and killed her in self-defense, as stated in the search warrant. Moreno’s 7-year-old son, who was with her, was shot in the head and rushed to a hospital. The child’s condition remains critical.
Authorities are currently investigating what may have motivated Moreno’s rampage. They are looking into potential factors such as her mental health issues and a recent dispute with her ex-husband’s family.
According to court documents, social media posts, and information provided by law enforcement, Moreno had a long history of struggling with mental illness, a contentious divorce, and numerous encounters with the law.
The investigation has revealed that Moreno had been hospitalized for schizophrenia in the past. In 2016, she was placed under an emergency detention order by Houston police officers due to the substantial risk she posed to herself and others. In 2022, Moreno’s former mother-in-law, Walli Carranza, filed a petition to be declared the conservator of Moreno’s son, citing her concerns about Moreno’s mental health. Carranza alleged that a psychiatrist had issued a “red flag warning” after Moreno’s hospitalization for schizophrenia.
The court documents also mention instances where Carranza had found a gun in Moreno’s possession in 2020 and had taken it to the Colorado police to have it confiscated. Carranza claimed that she had repeatedly sought help from law enforcement and child protective services to prevent a tragedy like the one that unfolded on Sunday.
Moreno’s mental health history and the allegations made by Carranza raise questions about whether she should have been allowed to own firearms. Texas, however, does not have a red flag law or extreme risk protection order law that would have enabled authorities to remove weapons from individuals in crisis.
Neighbors of Moreno have reported that they had raised concerns about her behavior in the past. They claim that Moreno had harassed and threatened them. These neighbors even organized a meeting with local authorities to discuss the issue approximately five months before the shooting.
Police are also investigating a possible motive related to a dispute between Moreno and her ex-husband’s family, some of whom are Jewish. Antisemitic writings were found in connection with the shooter, and it is being explored whether this dispute played a role in the incident. Furthermore, the AR-15 rifle used by Moreno had a “Palestine” sticker on it.
The tragic incident has sparked conversations about the need for improved mental health support, stronger gun control measures, and red flag laws in Texas.
As the investigation continues, it is essential to address the complex factors that contributed to this devastating event and work towards preventing similar incidents in the future.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of the date of publication and may be subject to change or further investigation.
.
– Woman who fired inside Houston megachurch
– Houston megachurch shooting incident.
