A tragic incident occurred at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, where a woman opened fire during a service before being shot and killed by security. The shooter, identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, arrived with her seven-year-old son, who was critically injured in the crossfire. The gunwoman had antisemitic writings, including “Palestine” on her rifle, though police have not determined a clear motive.
The attack unfolded during a live-streamed service. Pastor Jorge Basave attempted to remain calm as gunfire erupted. Moreno, armed with an AR-15 rifle, engaged in a shootout with two off-duty security officers—one a Houston police officer and the other with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The officers fatally shot Moreno, but her son was severely wounded. A 57-year-old man was also injured but has since been discharged from the hospital.
Authorities revealed that Moreno had a history of mental health issues and a long criminal record, including arrests for assault, drugs, and weapons charges. Her motive remains unclear, but she may have had a familial dispute related to her ex-husband’s Jewish relatives.
Lakewood Church, led by televangelist Joel Osteen, is one of the largest megachurches in the U.S. with 45,000 attendees each week. Osteen expressed his sorrow for the incident and praised law enforcement for their quick response.
