Osteen church shooter is woman who identified as a man, gun had political message

Genesse Ivonne Moreno, a.k.a. Jeffrey Escalante

The gun used in Sunday's shooting at Joel Osteen's church in Texas reportedly had a pro-Palestinian message written on it, and the shooter has been identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, an immigrant from El Salvador who has used male identities.

KHOU-TV in Houston reports "Moreno had a criminal history dating back to 2005, and previously identified as Jeffrey Escalante, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety records search. Prior arrests include failure to stop and give information, assault of a public servant, assault causing bodily injury, forgery, possession of marijuana, theft, evading arrest unlawful carrying weapon."

ABC News reports "Palestine" was written on the long rifle belonging to a man dressed as a woman who opened fire at the Lakewood Church in Houston, according to a law-enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

"A motive behind the Sunday afternoon shooting has not been determined. Sources said investigators are feverishly going through the social media and writings belonging to the suspect," the network indicated.

Pastor Joel Osteen reacts to a shooting at his Houston, Texas, church on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

As WND reported Sunday, a suspect wearing a trench coat and packing a long rifle opened fire at the celebrity pastor's megachurch while thousands of people were inside the facility.

@CNN left out the part about the “Free Palestine message” on the written on her gun. #Hamas #pro-Palestinian https://t.co/VfHKHTS2GM

— Dr. Carol M. Swain (@carolmswain) February 12, 2024

Is this shooting a wake-up call for people to carry guns to stop incidents like this?

The 7-year-old boy critically injured in the crossfire was the child the shooter brought to the church. He was shot in the head and is "fighting for his life," Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Monday.

Also injured by gunfire was a 57-year-old man who was shot in the leg. Officers killed the shooter at the scene.

Get the hottest, most important news stories on the Internet – delivered FREE to your inbox as soon as they break! Take just 30 seconds and sign up for WND's Email News Alerts!

One woman who was reunited with her loved ones noted: "The worship team, they were singing when the incident happened."

The shooting suspect's car outside Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said, "I will not make any assumptions because information continues to come in as to what motivated the shooter, but I am asking that the investigation look into whether it was a hate crime, given the shooting took place at an all-Spanish service."

"We all stand with the Lakewood congregation as they recover from this terrifying day and with the young child and adult who are known to have been hurt in the shooting," Hidalgo added.

Please see my statement below: pic.twitter.com/X6afVBoLms

— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) February 12, 2024

"It could have been a lot worse," Osteen told reporters. "We're devastated."

"We don't understand why these thing happen, but we know God's in control."

Joel Osteen speaks about the shooting that occurred at his church:

"There are forces of evil, but the forces that are for us, the forces of God are stronger than that." pic.twitter.com/Kgp1HOaYK8

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 11, 2024

"We're gonna stay strong and we're gonna continue to move forward. There are forces of evil but the forces that are for us, the forces of God, are stronger than that."

"So we're going to keep going strong and just, you know, doing what God's called us to do, lift people up and give hope to the world again."

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.

In the face of such darkness, we must hold onto our faith and… pic.twitter.com/hAzOSSX69i

— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) February 12, 2024

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the shooting "tragic."

Is the news we hear every day actually broadcasting messages from God? The answer is an absolute yes! Find out how!

"Our hearts are with those impacted by today's tragic shooting and the entire Lakewood Church community in Houston," Abbott said. "Places of worship are sacred."

It was a much more peaceful scene earlier Sunday morning, as Lakewood Church posted photos of congregants coming to worship, along with the message: "In Scripture, Jesus fed the multitudes, gave sight to the blind, and raised the dead. Jesus still works miracles today, arranging divine connections to heal everything in your life.

"Welcome to Church this morning! We love seeing you all!"

In Scripture, Jesus fed the multitudes, gave sight to the blind, and raised the dead. Jesus still works miracles today, arranging divine connections to heal everything in your life.

Welcome to Church this morning! We love seeing you all! pic.twitter.com/oOyWoK2mrl

— Lakewood Church (@lakewoodchurch) February 11, 2024

Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify the sticker on the shooter's gun said "Palestine," according to police, not "Free Palestine."

Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeKovacsNews

Content created by the WND News Center is available for re-publication without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

SUPPORT TRUTHFUL JOURNALISM. MAKE A DONATION TO THE NONPROFIT WND NEWS CENTER. THANK YOU!