Authorities have recognized the shooter as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, a 36-year-old transgender immigrant from El Salvador, in keeping with a number of unbiased sources chatting with KHOU 11 Jeremy Rogalski.
Moreno, who has a felony historical past stretching again to 2005, was beforehand referred to as Jeffery Escalante, primarily based on data from the Texas Division of Public Security.
Her previous arrests paint a troubling image, encompassing a variety of offenses together with failure to cease and provides info, assault of a public servant, assault inflicting bodily harm, forgery, possession of marijuana, theft, evading arrest, and illegal carrying of a weapon.
Earlier mugshots present her trying rather more female. pic.twitter.com/n8vKtpRhGs
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024
Earlier historical past contains weapons fees. pic.twitter.com/Z9X6OLIghr
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024
Extra felony historical past, per @houston_cf pic.twitter.com/gwNU5QmVZJ
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024
Witnesses report that Moreno was wearing a trench coat and backpack, and alarmingly, was accompanied by a baby when she entered the church armed with an extended rifle.
The Gateway Pundit reported earlier that the lady’s gun, which AR15 used within the capturing, had a “Free Palestine” message on it.
Moreno walked into the constructing shortly earlier than 2 pm, accompanied by a baby estimated to be 4 to five years previous, and opened fire, detailed Houston Police Chief Troy Finner throughout a information convention.
The church was transitioning between providers and gearing up for a Spanish language service when the assault occurred, as described by televangelist and pastor Joel Osteen, who spoke on the identical information convention.
“It was a second of transition,” Osteen stated. “I can solely think about what may have occurred if it had occurred in the course of the 11 o’clock service.”
The chilling scene was partly captured on a church video feed, which was abruptly interrupted by the sounds of gunfire and screams.
Two off-duty officers, a 28-year-old from the Houston Police Division and a 38-year-old Texas Alcoholic Beverage Fee agent, each with beneath 5 years of service, confronted the shooter, leading to her being shot.
A 57-year-old man, caught within the scenario as an harmless bystander, was shot within the leg, added Chief Finner.
The kid, whose relationship with Moreno has not been disclosed, was shot and is at the moment in crucial situation.
That is growing. We are going to replace this text as quickly as further particulars grow to be accessible.