(PM.)The individual who walked into Joel Osteen’s Lakewood, Texas church on Sunday, pulled out a gun and opened fire, has been identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36. Moreno, wearing a trenchcoat, opened fire when entering the church along with a 5-year old child.
Local news reports that multiple sources have said that Genesse Ivonne Moreno is suspected of being the “armed woman” who was killed at the church Sunday.
Reports indicated that the shooter was female, but Moreno may have been male. Moreno was shot and killed by two off-duty officers. Moreno’s weapon was emblazoned with the slogan “Free Palestine.”
Jeremy Rogalski of KHOU-TV further reported that Moreno “had prior arrests for assault, forgery, marijuana possession, theft, evading, and unlawful carrying weapon.”
Per law enforcement records, Moreno also had identified as Jeffery Escalante in the past, and had prior arrests for assault, forgery, marijuana possession, theft, evading, and unlawful carrying weapon
— Jeremy Rogalski (@JRogalskiKHOU) February 12, 2024
Genesse Moreno went by Jeffrey Escalante Moreno, among other aliases, and was from El Salvador. The child Moreno brought to the church was shot and injured. The child remains in critical condition in a local hospital. A 57-year-old man was also shot in the leg and taken to a hospital for treatment.
🚨 BREAKING: Lakewood Church shooter identified as a transgender, legal name Genesse Moreno but went by the name “Jeffrey.” 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0gmgybgOLC
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024
Authorities searched a home in Conroe that is believed to be associated with the shooter.
Moreno openly discussed a love of firearms and posted about cleaning an AR-15, showing off the weapon as well.
Moreno also posted about giving money to Osteen’s church, and indicated that Moreno had attended and was part of that church.
Moreno’s Instagram page shows that Moreno presented in a feminine way.
