Houston, Texas – Bodycam footage released on Monday revealed the harrowing moment a shooter opened fire at Joel Osteen’s megachurch on February 11. The footage, released by Houston police, captured the chaos as a female shooter opened fire at Lakewood Church, injuring a 57-year-old man and a seven-year-old boy believed to be her son.
In the video, people, including children, can be seen fleeing in terror as officers rush towards the sound of gunshots. Gunfire can be heard in the background as officers shout commands at the suspect to put down their weapon. One officer even voices concerns about the possibility of a bomb.
The shooter, later identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, can be heard making threats to “blow up” the church. However, upon searching her backpack, police found no explosives. Moreno had reportedly entered the church armed with an AR-15 rifle before carrying out the shooting during a service.
After firing multiple rounds, Moreno was confronted by two off-duty officers in the church hallway and was killed in an exchange of gunfire. During the altercation, her young child was struck in the head and remains in critical condition at the hospital. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation.
Following the incident, Joel Osteen, the lead pastor of the church, expressed condolences for both the injured child and the deceased shooter. He emphasized the need for the congregation to remain strong and move forward in the face of adversity.
Houston Police Commander Christopher Hassig revealed that investigators found antisemitic writings in Moreno’s possession following the shooting. It was also disclosed that Moreno was embroiled in a familial dispute with her ex-husband’s Jewish family, indicating a possible motive for the attack. However, officials cautioned against jumping to conclusions, stressing that the investigation is still in its early stages.
FBI’s special agent in charge of the Houston field office, Doug Williams, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that it is premature to determine the shooter’s motives. It was also disclosed that Moreno had legally purchased the AR-style rifle in December. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic event as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the circumstances surrounding the shooting at Lakewood Church.