In a recent update from ABC News, regarding the shooting at Joel Osteen's church in Lakewood, it was discovered that the shooter had the words "Free Palestine" written on the rifle that was used during the shooting.
The motive for the incident remains unknown but investigators have stated that they are going through the suspect's social media and writings.
The Suspect
The suspect is unknown, but was described as between the ages of 30-35 and female. Detectives believe that she fired 12 shots before two off-duty officers returned fire that killed the suspect. Houston Police Chief, Troy Finner also stated that when the suspect entered the Church she was accompanied by a 4 or 5-year-old child. The suspect's relationship with the child also remains unknown.
Finner also reported that the child was also hit during the gunfire exchange and has been hospitalized in critical condition. A man who is believed to be a Parishioner was also shot in the leg according to Finner. Authorities have also reported the suspect had allegedly made the threat that she had a bomb but when they searched her car, they did not find anything. However, they did report that she was spraying an unknown substance. The authorities are also searching the suspect's history of arrests, which they believe she has on her record although that hasn't been revealed either. The incident occurred at 2 pm just before the Church's Spanish language service was set to begin.
Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo, made the following statement "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." Hidalgo concluded with the following "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."
Osteen himself also provided the following statement in a social media post "Our community is devastated by today's events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. Please join me in continued prayer for healing and peace." This news follows the recent update regarding another shooting. This time at a school in Michigan where the suspect's mother Jennifer Crumbley has been convicted of manslaughter. In addition, this incident follows another update to boost the safety of students when these incidents occur.
Recent Update
In a recent update, CNN has reported that the woman has been identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36.
According to a search warrant disclosed by the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office on Monday, officers resorted to self-defense, fatally shooting her after she aimed her weapon at them.
During the incident, a young child sustained critical injuries and is currently hospitalized, although it remains uncertain who fired the shot causing the child's injury, as confirmed by the police chief.
