HOUSTON, TEXAS – Investigators are still piecing together the shocking events that unfolded at the Lakewood Church in Houston this past Sunday. A 36-year-old mother, identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, entered the popular megachurch and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, injuring two people including her 7-year-old son, before being fatally shot by law enforcement.
According to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, the shooter confronted a security guard outside the church before forcing her way in. Wearing a trench coat and backpack, she entered the converted sports arena between church services and began firing in a hallway with an AR-platform rifle, as reported by Christopher Hassig, commander of the Houston police homicide division.
The shooting, which left two people injured, raised questions about the motive behind the attack. Moreno, who has a lengthy criminal history and was going through a bitter divorce, has left investigators grappling with the possibility of a politically motivated attack or the actions of a mentally disturbed individual.
Authorities executed search warrants at Moreno’s home, which is about 50 miles north of the church, where they discovered antisemitic writings and substances consistent with the manufacture of explosive devices. She legally purchased the AR-15 used in the attack in December and also carried a .22 caliber weapon at the time of the shooting.
Further complicating the investigation, Moreno had a history of mental health challenges and had used multiple aliases, posing a conundrum for authorities in determining the motive behind the attack. Statements from her social media accounts and local authorities suggest a history of attempting to turn her life around and launch a business.
The devastating event at Lakewood Church is just the latest in a series of gun violence incidents that have disrupted American life, raising concerns about safety in formerly secure places. As the investigation continues, authorities are working tirelessly to unravel the motivations and circumstances that led to this horrifying attack.