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Lakewood church: Gunwoman killed in Texas megachurch shootout Lakewood Church: Armed woman killed in Joel Osteen Texas megachurch shootout
(32 minutes later)
Watch: Footage from inside the church captures the sound of gunshots being firedWatch: Footage from inside the church captures the sound of gunshots being fired
Watch: Footage from inside the church captures the sound of gunshots being firedWatch: Footage from inside the church captures the sound of gunshots being fired
A woman clad in a trench coat and accompanied by a child opened fire in a crowded Texas megachurch before she was gunned down by police, officials say.A woman clad in a trench coat and accompanied by a child opened fire in a crowded Texas megachurch before she was gunned down by police, officials say.
The suspect, named by police as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, was with her seven-year-old son, who was critically injured in the Houston shootout.The suspect, named by police as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, was with her seven-year-old son, who was critically injured in the Houston shootout.
Investigators said the attacker had "Palestine" written on the butt of her rifle and they had uncovered antisemitic writings by her. Investigators said the attacker had "Palestine" written on the butt of her rifle and they had uncovered antisemitic writings.
But they said the motive is unclear.But they said the motive is unclear.
A 57-year-old man was wounded in the shooting and has since been discharged from hospital. A 57-year-old man was shot in the hip during the incident and has since been discharged from hospital.
The gunwoman's unnamed son was shot in the head during the shootout and is currently "fighting for his life", said police. It is not clear who shot the boy.
Police said the suspect used an AR-15 rifle for the attack. She also had a .22 calibre rifle, but did not fire that weapon.Police said the suspect used an AR-15 rifle for the attack. She also had a .22 calibre rifle, but did not fire that weapon.
Officials told Monday's news conference the attacker has a history of mental health issues. Officials told Monday's news conference the attacker has a history of mental health issues and was placed under an emergency detention order in 2016.
Public records indicate Moreno has a long record of arrests and convictions on assault, drug, and weapons charges. Public records indicate Moreno also has a long record of arrests and convictions on assault, drug, and weapons charges.
She previously went by several other names including Jeffery Escalante and is variously listed as male and female in official records. She previously went by several other aliases, including Jeffery Escalante, and is variously listed as male and female in official records. Police described her in the news conference as a Hispanic female.
The site of the shooting was the Lakewood megachurch, one of the largest in the country, owned by evangelical pastor Joel Osteen. Genesse Moreno has a history of mental health issues
Police said the shooter approached the church at 13:53 local time (19:53 GMT) just as a Spanish-speaking service was about to begin. Police said they believe her apparent antisemitic views may have stemmed from a familial dispute with her ex-husband's family, some of whom are Jewish.
Shortly after she opened fire, a 28-year-old Houston police officer and a 38-year-old agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission tried to subdue the woman and shot her. The site of the shooting was Lakewood Church, one of the largest congregations in the country, owned by evangelical pastor Joel Osteen.
"Multiple rounds" were fired in the ensuing gun battle, officials said, before the attacker was "neutralised" and pronounced dead at 14:07. Police said the shooter entered the building from its west side at 13:53 local time (19:53 GMT) just as a Spanish-speaking service was about to begin.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Moreno was seen spraying "some type of substance on the ground", but investigators have determined the substance posed no risk. She displayed her weapon to an unarmed security guard, who proceeded to let her inside, and she then opened fire inside the church's hallway at about 13:55.
After being shot, she told the two officers there was a bomb, but after a search law enforcement did not find any explosives in her backpack or vehicle. A 28-year-old off-duty Houston police officer and Adrian Herrera, a 38-year-old agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, returned fire.
The gunwoman's son was shot in the head during the shootout and critically injured, said police. Multiple rounds were fired in the ensuing gun battle, officials said, before the attacker was "neutralised" and pronounced dead at 14:07.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Moreno was seen spraying "some type of substance on the ground", but investigators have determined it posed no risk.
After being shot, she told the two officers there was a bomb, but a search by law enforcement found no explosives in her backpack or vehicle.
The woman entered one of America's largest churches on Sunday and opened fireThe woman entered one of America's largest churches on Sunday and opened fire
Who is Joel Osteen and what is Lakewood Church?Who is Joel Osteen and what is Lakewood Church?
Mr Osteen, a 60-year-old televangelist, took the helm of one of the most popular megachurches in the country after his father and Lakewood's founding pastor died.Mr Osteen, a 60-year-old televangelist, took the helm of one of the most popular megachurches in the country after his father and Lakewood's founding pastor died.
The 16,000-seat church used to be home to the Houston Rockets, an NBA team, before undergoing renovations in the early 2000s.The 16,000-seat church used to be home to the Houston Rockets, an NBA team, before undergoing renovations in the early 2000s.
Under Mr Osteen's leadership, the church has grown in size and reputation, with 45,000 parishioners attending weekly services in person, in addition to thousands who watch online and on television.Under Mr Osteen's leadership, the church has grown in size and reputation, with 45,000 parishioners attending weekly services in person, in addition to thousands who watch online and on television.
It is the third-largest church in the country, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.It is the third-largest church in the country, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
"Our community is devastated by today's events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement," Mr Osteen said in a statement."Our community is devastated by today's events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement," Mr Osteen said in a statement.
"In the face of such darkness, we must hold onto our faith and remember evil will not prevail.""In the face of such darkness, we must hold onto our faith and remember evil will not prevail."
Known for promoting what is called the prosperity gospel, Mr Osteen often preaches that financial blessings are gifts from God and has published many books promising that faith will increase one's wealth.Known for promoting what is called the prosperity gospel, Mr Osteen often preaches that financial blessings are gifts from God and has published many books promising that faith will increase one's wealth.
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