In a shocking and disturbing incident that occurred earlier this month, a woman rampaged through Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, while parishioners were in close proximity. The incident was captured in HPD bodycam videos, which have recently been released to the public. The videos reveal the terrifying moments before and during the shooting rampage.
On February 11th, 36-year-old Genesse Moreno entered the megachurch and began opening fire. Two off-duty officers, one from the Houston Police Department and the other from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, confronted Moreno and returned fire, ultimately shooting her dead. During the exchange of gunfire, Moreno’s 7-year-old son, Samuel, was tragically shot in the head and sustained critical injuries.
The body camera footage released by the Houston police showed the two off-duty officers with their weapons drawn as they confronted Moreno. Additionally, the footage displayed blurred images of Samuel, the young son of the shooter. After Samuel was shot, officers urgently called for medical help for the boy.
The footage from the body camera showed individuals chatting before suddenly being startled by the sound of the first gunshot. Confusion ensued, with some people running for cover as rapid gunfire echoed throughout the building. Bystanders could be seen seeking refuge in rooms and hallways as officers bravely ran towards the source of the shots.
According to police reports, Moreno entered Lakewood Church between Sunday services with her son and began firing an AR-style rifle. Fortunately, she did not reach the main sanctuary as the two off-duty officers were able to stop her. However, two people were wounded in the shooting, including Moreno’s young son who suffered a gunshot to the head.
Security camera video from Lakewood Church, also released by the police, showed Moreno arriving at the church in a white SUV, carrying Samuel out of the back seat, and walking towards the building. She was dressed in a black shirt, striped pants, boots, and a loose-fitting tan-colored trench coat. Gunshots could be heard throughout the church building in the video footage as officers closed in on the shooter.
In the video, an officer can be heard shouting, “Put the weapon down, now,” before firing his weapon. Another officer cautioned that Moreno may have a bomb. Additional security video from the church, although without sound, depicted Samuel covering his ears after his mother walked off-screen. She then approached him, and he reached his arms out to her before she walked off-screen again. The young boy appeared to be in a recessed doorway.
Mark Stevens, a retired HPD detective, commented on the footage, stating that officers inside the church were armed with pistols while Moreno had a rifle. This gave her the upper hand in terms of distance. Stevens explained that shooting a rifle allows for long-range accuracy, whereas the officers had to get close enough to ensure their shots were accurate.
Footage from the body camera also captured Moreno saying, “You killed my son” and later claiming to have a bomb. Gunfire could be heard as she made these statements. Despite authorities later confirming that no explosives were found, an officer reported over the radio that Moreno appeared to have something strapped to her chest, leading to a request for the bomb squad.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner acknowledged that the footage released to the public may be unsettling. He assured the community that an active investigation is still ongoing and that law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively to examine all aspects of the incident.
As investigators delve into Moreno’s motives and the source of the AR-style rifle she used, the community remains in shock. Walli Carranza, Samuel’s grandmother, took to Facebook to provide updates on his condition. She shared that Samuel had undergone six surgeries but was breathing well on his own after having a breathing tube removed. The road to recovery will be a challenging one for Samuel, and his family is uncertain about what the future holds for him.
The incident at Lakewood Church serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of violence and the bravery displayed by law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect others. The lasting impact of such traumatic events on both the officers involved and the community at large cannot be underestimated. As the investigation continues, the people of Houston are left grappling with the aftermath of this disturbing incident that unfolded in their own backyard.
