Search warrant identifies suspect in deadly Lakewood Church shooting

HOUSTON – A search warrant has identified the suspect who was killed in the Lakewood Church shooting as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36.

The shooting was reported on Sunday around 2 p.m. inside the lobby of the mega church, located at 3700 Southwest Freeway.

According to the warrant, Moreno walked into the church with an AR-15 rifle.

NBC News reports that the rifle had the word “Palestine” written on it, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter. The person also made several statements during the course of the incident but the officials declined to describe them.

An off-duty HPD officer and TABC officer engaged with the suspect during the incident, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. The suspect reportedly told the officers that they were in possession of a bomb.

One of the officers said they saw the suspect in possession of a “yellow in color rope and substances consistent with the manufacture of explosive devices, which appeared to be a detonation cord.” Investigators have not been able to determine whether Moreno’s threat of having a bomb was credible.

When Moreno pointed their weapon at the first responding officers, they shot and killed Moreno in self-defense, according to the document.

Pastor Joel Osteen said a 5-year-old boy was shot and another man was struck in the leg during the shooting. It is unknown if the victims were shot by Moreno or officers.

Police said the child was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

During the search warrant on Monday, investigators seized all electronic devices that belonged to Moreno in hopes they will reveal information or a motive related to the shooting.

Officials are investigating a wide range of possible motives given the writings on the weapon but cannot yet conclusively say what led to the shooting. They have not ruled out terrorism or hate crime related motives.

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