On February 11th, 2024, a horrific incident unfolded at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
Genesse Ivonne Moreno, a 36-year-old transgender individual with a criminal history, opened fire with a rifle that had “free Palestine” written on it, leaving a 57-year-old man injured and a 5-year-old child in critical condition.
Tragically, the child is not expected to survive. This terrible tragedy has left the community shaken and in mourning.
As a man, Moreno had a history of criminal activity, including convictions for assaulting a police officer in 2009 and forgery in 2010.
Despite this, Moreno was able to obtain an AR-15 and commit this heinous act.
BREAKING: The Lakewood Church shooter was transgender.
Watch how quickly this story disappears. pic.twitter.com/YCisa2CReV
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 12, 2024
The media’s role in this tragedy cannot be ignored.
The rifle used in the attack was adorned with the message “Free Palestine.” This suggests that Moreno may have been influenced by the anti-Israel rhetoric that has been perpetuated by Hamas and parroted by the mainstream media.
The media must be held accountable for the false narratives they promote and the impact they have on individuals like Moreno.
The shooting took place at a place of worship, a sanctuary meant to provide peace and solace to its members.
The response of the off-duty police officers at the church was swift and decisive.
They engaged the shooter and returned fire, ultimately killing Moreno in self-defense. Their bravery and professionalism in the face of danger are commendable and should be recognized.
🚨 BREAKING: Lakewood Church shooter identified as a transgender, legal name Genesse Moreno but went by the name “Jeffrey.” 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0gmgybgOLC
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024
In the aftermath of this tragedy, the community has come together to support one another and seek answers.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the shooting “tragic” and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.
Joel Osteen, the founder of Lakewood Church, shared his devastation and thanked law enforcement for their quick response.
“We don’t understand why all these things happened, but we know God’s in control,” Osteen said.
While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, it is crucial that we learn from this tragedy and take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This includes holding the media accountable for the false narratives they promote.
