Houston Police Department (HPD) Homicide Commander, Christopher Hassig, provided a detailed account of the ongoing investigation into the tragic shooting incident at Lakewood Church. During a press conference, Commander Hassig outlined the sequence of events that took place on Sunday, February 11th.
At approximately 1:53 pm, an individual arrived in front of Lakewood Church and proceeded to exit her white vehicle. Accompanied by a seven-year-old child and a bag, she approached a security guard, who granted her access to the west side of the building at 1:55 pm. It was at this point that the woman immediately began firing rounds within the hallway of the church, not in the sanctuary.
Officer Moreno of the Houston Police Department, who was working as an approved extra job, and TABC agent Herrera responded by returning fire. The exchange of gunfire occurred exclusively within the west side hallway. Multiple shots were exchanged by all three individuals. Eventually, the shooter and the seven-year-old child were both struck by gunfire, with the child sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. As of the press conference, the child remained in critical condition.
The shooter has been identified as 36-year-old Genesee Moreno, of Hispanic descent. Although there were reports of her using multiple aliases, including Jeffrey Escalante, investigators have confirmed her identity as a female. Two weapons were recovered from the scene, including an Anderson manufacturing AR-15, which she wielded during the incident. An interesting detail regarding this weapon was the presence of a sticker on its buttstock that read 'Palestine.' Additionally, she had a Blue Line Solutions .22 caliber rifle in her possession, although she did not discharge it.
Law enforcement officials currently have custody of the shooter's vehicle and will conduct a search for further evidence. The investigation has received invaluable assistance from federal and state partners who aided in processing the scene. Among the items discovered during the initial investigation were anti-Semitic writings, suggesting a potential connection to a familial dispute involving Moreno's ex-husband and his Jewish family members. The police emphasized that Moreno acted alone, classifying her as a 'lone wolf' suspect and assuring the public that there is no indication of a larger network involved.
Commander Hassig disclosed that Moreno had previously been placed under an emergency detention order in 2016, indicating a documented history of mental health issues. Investigators are actively pursuing any leads or information that could shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Members of the public who may possess information relevant to the investigation are encouraged to contact the Houston Homicide Department at 308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. The HPD expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support from the community thus far. As the investigation progresses, officials anticipate obtaining a clearer understanding of the events leading up to the tragic shooting at Lakewood Church.
