The woman who opened fire at the Houston megachurch led by pastor Joel Osteen had “Free Palestine” written on her weapon, police reported Monday.
Authorities are meticulously analyzing the suspect’s social media presence and other writings but have so far not released details. The shooter has been identified by law enforcement sources as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno.
Multiple Houston press outlets are also reporting the woman was born male but changed gender identification.
“KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are reporting Moreno, who previously identified as Jeffery Escalante, had an extensive criminal history dating back to 2005, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety records search,” reported the Washington Blade, a leading LGBT news outlet.
Detectives estimate that Moreno may have fired as many as a dozen rounds during the incident that unfolded within the grounds of Lakewood Church on Sunday afternoon. The shooter’s weapon was an AR-15, according to CNN and ABC News.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner disclosed that Moreno entered the church with a young child. An exchange of gunfire ensued when Moreno initiated the attack. Two off-duty law enforcement officers, present at the scene, responded with lethal force, killing Moreno.
Officials Monday afternoon said the boy was Moreno’s 7-year-old son.
The ensuing crossfire wounded the boy, who is now in critical condition at a hospital. Details concerning the child’s shooter have not yet been established.
Chief Finner also confirmed that a churchgoer sustained a leg injury during the chaotic events. Further escalating tensions during the incident, Moreno reportedly claimed to possess a bomb.
Thorough inspections of her vehicle and personal belongings, including a backpack, did not uncover any explosive devices. There are also reports of Moreno dispersing an unidentified substance during the confrontation.
“I will not make any assumptions because information continues to come in as to what motivated the shooter, but I am asking that the investigation look into whether it was a hate crime, given the shooting took place at an all-Spanish service,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement.
“We all stand with the Lakewood congregation as they recover from this terrifying day and with the young child and adult who are known to have been hurt in the shooting,” Judge Hidalgo added.
• Washington Times Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.