Police in Houston, Texas have identified the shooter who opened fire at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church on Sunday as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, an immigrant from El Salvador with a lengthy criminaI history.
She previously used the name Jeffrey Escalante Moreno, prompting some reports that she identified as a transgender individuaI. Law enforcement officials did not refer to her as such during a press conference on Monday, however.
Two people were hit by the gunman — a 57-year-old man and a seven-year-old boy who accompanied the shooter — after she opened fire just after 2 p.m. on Sunday. Off-duty police officers who were present at the scene engaged the shooter and returned fire.
She was ultimately pronounced de ad at the scene.
The child — who has been identified as Moreno’s son — is not expected to survive, though he remains in criticaI condition at an area hospital, a Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson told the Houston Chronicle.
According to investigators, Hassig arrived at the church accompanied by the child just before Spanish mass was set to begin. She was dressed in a bIack trench coat and was armed with a semiautomatic rifIe, which she pointed at officers before she was shot and kiIIed.
Christopher Hassig, commander of Houston Police Department Homicide Division, identified Moreno as female during the press conference and confirmed that she has a history of using both male and female aliases.
She utilized both male and femaIe names, but through all of our investigation through this point, talking with individuaIs, interview, documents, Houston Police Department reports, she has been identified this entire time as female. She, her, he said.
My Husband Told Me I Am Half the Mom His Ex wife Was, I Was Furious and Taught Him a Lesson
Sylvia’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the fierce protectiveness of a mother’s love. Betrayal and heartbreak can feel like they’re breaking us, but Sylvia shows that sometimes those fractures reveal hidden strength. George’s words were meant to wound, but instead, they became the catalyst for Sylvia to reclaim her life and her children’s future.
When someone tries to diminish us, especially in a role we hold dear—like being a mother—it cuts deeply. But Sylvia took that pain and turned it into something transformative, taking control of her destiny and setting boundaries with the man who had failed her and her family.
Sylvia’s story speaks to the importance of self-worth, showing us that when we refuse to accept mistreatment, we create space for healing and real love. Her journey is about more than survival; it’s about choosing happiness, courage, and love. For anyone who has ever felt undervalued or questioned their worth, Sylvia’s strength is a reminder that we have the power to rebuild, not only for ourselves but for the ones we love.
Leave a Reply