The woman who began shooting inside Lakewood Church on Sunday has been identified as 36-year-old Genesse Moreno. She was immediately neutralized by two off-duty officers after she began to shoot with her long rifle. She did not survive. Unfortunately, a 7-year-old boy and a 57-year-old man were hit, although they have survived as of the writing of this article.
Genesse Moreno is also known as Jeffrey Escalante. Police have not said if Moreno is transgender. However, Moreno has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2005. She is known to police for having a history of mental illness after being forcibly committed to a facility in 2016. Police say they discovered anti-semitic writings linked to Moreno that may have something to do with the Jewish family of her ex-husband. The long rifle she was using to shoot has a sticker that says “Palestine” on the stock.
Lakewood Church is a Houston, Texas, landmark that people travel worldwide to visit due to the presence of Pastor Joel Osteen. Pastor Osteen responded to the shooting with prayers to everyone involved, including the now-deceased Moreno.
SOURCES:
Lakewood shooting: Genesse Moreno identified as woman accused of opening fire at Joel Osteen’s church, according to search warrant – ABC13 Houston
Shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church Leaves Boy Critically Injured – The New York Times
Lakewood Church shooter ID’d, child not expected to survive
Joel Osteen Lakewood Church shooting: Police have identified the woman who opened fire. Here’s what we know | CNN
Lakewood Church shooting suspect is identified | Fox News
What to know: Shooting at Joel Osteen’s TX Lakewood Church | AP News
