Shooter entered Texas megachurch with young son and used AR-style rifle in the attack, police say
CTV
The shooter who opened fire at a Texas megachurch on Sunday before being killed by security officers had a history of mental illness and used an AR-style rifle in the attack that also critically injured their seven-year-old son, authorities said Monday.
The shooter who opened fire at a Texas megachurch on Sunday before being killed by security officers had a history of mental illness and used an AR-style rifle in the attack that also critically injured their seven-year-old son, authorities said Monday.
Houston police identified the shooter at Lakewood Church as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, who used both male and female aliases. However, investigators who looked at past police reports found that Moreno identified as female, Houston Police Commander Chris Hassig said.
Houston police and federal investigators said Monday they had not established a motive for the shooting but were looking into a dispute involving Moreno and the family of Moreno's ex-husband.
The attack happened in between services at the Houston megachurch — located in a former NBA arena — and sent worshippers scrambling for safety.
During the shooting, Moreno's 7-year-old son was shot in the head and remained in critical condition Monday, authorities said. Moreno, who was killed by the officers, was not a known member of Osteen's congregation, said church spokesman Don Iloff.
Police and FBI investigators said they have not established a motive for the shooting but were looking into a dispute involving Moreno and the family of Moreno’s ex-husband. Hassig and others said Moreno had a history of mental illness, including being placed under emergency detention in 2016, but provided no additional details.
Investigators also found antisemitic writings by the shooter, and Hassig noted Moreno’s rifle had a “Palestine” sticker on the buttstock. He described Moreno as a “lone wolf” who acted alone.
