The identity of the suspected shooter who opened fire on a church congregation during a Spanish-language service in Houston has been revealed.
Authorities reported that a woman in her mid-30s entered the Lakewood Church on Sunday afternoon with a long rifle, a backpack, and a 5-year-old boy. The suspect opened fire inside the building.
Two off-duty law enforcement officers fired at the shooter. In the crossfire, a man in his late 50s and the child with the suspect were injured. The alleged shooter was shot and killed by the officers, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The suspected shooter has since been identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno.
Moreno, who previously identified as one Jeffery Escalante, appears to have an extensive criminal record that dates back to 2005. Records from the Texas Department of Public Safety detail numerous arrests for possession of marijuana, assaulting a public servant, forgery, carrying a weapon unlawfully, and more, KHOU 11 reported.
Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church, issued a statement asking the community to pray for peace and healing for those involved.
“Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. May the healing hands of God touch the lives of everyone involved and provide comfort during this difficult time,” said Osteen in a social media post.
The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Officials have not yet identified Moreno’s motive for the attack.
