By
Jim Hᴏft Feb. 12, 2024 10:45 am
1999 Comments
Authorities have identified the shooter as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, a 36-year-old transgender immigrant from El Salvador, according to multiple independent sources speaking to
KHOU 11 Jeremy Rogalski.
Moreno, who has a criminal history stretching back to 2005, was previously known as
Jeffery Escalante, based on records from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
His past arrests paint a troubling picture, encompassing a range of offenses including failure to stop and give information, assault of a public servant, assault causing bodily injury, forgery, possession of marijuana, theft, evading arrest, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Witnesses report that Moreno was dressed in a trench coat and backpack, and alarmingly, was accompanied by a child when he entered the church armed with a long rifle.
The Gateway Pundit reported earlier that the transgender’s AR15 used in the shooting, had a “Free Palestine” message on it.
Moreno walked into the building shortly before 2 pm, accompanied by a child estimated to be 4 to 5 years old,
and opened fire, detailed Houston Police Chief Troy Finner during a news conference.
The church was transitioning between services and gearing up for a Spanish language service when the attack happened, as described by televangelist and pastor Joel Osteen, who spoke at the same news conference.
“It was a moment of transition,” Osteen said. “I can only imagine what could have occurred if it had happened during 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.