HOUSTON, TEXAS – Authorities have identified the shooter at Lakewood Church as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonnee Moreno. Moreno, who has a history of using both male and female names, entered the 16,800-seat megachurch building with a long rifle and opened fire during the Spanish-language services.
While the motive for the shooting is still under investigation, authorities have confirmed that Moreno identified as female. In addition to the rifle, Moreno was wearing a trench coat and a backpack.
After opening fire, Moreno was fatally shot by two off-duty officers working security at the church, preventing further casualties. Two others were injured during the shooting – a 57-year-old man and Moreno’s 7-year-old son. The son remains in critical condition at a local children’s hospital, while the man has been treated and released.
Before her death, Moreno claimed to have a bomb, but no evidence of this was found. Investigators have also revealed that Moreno had a history of mental illness and had been placed under an emergency detention order in 2016.
Authorities are looking into a possible dispute between Moreno and her ex-husband’s family as a potential cause for the shooting. Antisemitic writings and a “Palestine” sticker on Moreno’s weapon have been discovered, but investigators have not classified the shooting as a hate crime.
The investigation into the incident at Lakewood Church is ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the tragic shooting.