The Houston Police Department released body camera footage on Monday, of the response to an active shooter who opened fire at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church earlier this month.
At 1:53 p.m. on Feb. 11, Genesse Ivonne Moreno, originally from El Salvador, began shooting a gun at the mega church before ultimately being shot and killed by off-duty police officers on the scene.
Moreno also had her 7-year-old son in tow, who was shot in the head and continues to fight for his life.
In a social media post, the Houston Police Department released video captured from the moment gunfire rang out in the western halls of the church, until the shooter was down.
LAKEWOOD CHURCH SHOOTER IDENTIFIED AS GENESSE IVONNE MORENO; ‘PALESTINE’ WRITTEN ON GUN
Surveillance footage released by the Houston Police Department shows the moments a shooter opened fire inside Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church. (Houston Police Department)
“We realize the video of this shooting may be unsettling to members of the community. HPD is releasing it as part of our commitment to release critical incident videos within 30 days,” Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner said in a statement on social media.
The four videos released by the department show various aspects of the incident, including surveillance footage and body camera footage from three law enforcement officials.
In one video, a group of people, including law enforcement officials, are standing around talking when gunshots are heard down the hallway.
As soon as the first gunshot is heard, the group looks toward the direction it came from and begins walking that way.
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Body camera footage was released by the Houston Police Department showing different aspects of an active shooter situation that happened on Feb. 11, 2024 at Lakewood Church. (Houston Police Department)
The officer with the body camera began running in the direction of the shot when more gunshots were fired, and people began to run in the opposite direction.
With several people taking cover, the officer pulled out a gun and began walking toward the shooter, though Moreno was not in sight.
More gunshot rang out as she and others moved toward the shooter, whispering and hiding behind any object possible.
“Come on. We need to approach,” one officer whispers to the other before praying. “Father God, just be with us. Forgive us for our sins. Come on.”
The two move closer where they found the 7-year-old boy lying on the ground, nearly lifeless.
In another video taken from a body camera, the officer is seen hiding behind a wall and peeking out, when the shooter starts firing.
Moreno is later heard saying, “You killed my son. Stand down. I have a bomb. I have a f—–g bomb.”
LAKEWOOD CHURCH SHOOTING: WOMAN WITH CHILD IN TOW OPENS FIRE INSIDE JOEL OSTEEN’S TEXAS MEGACHURCH
Genesse Ivonne Moreno, who Houston Police said opened fire at the Lakewood Church, used several male and female aliases, including Jeffrey Escalante Moreno. She also had six pervious arrests dating back to 2005. (Texas Department of Public Safety / Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via AP)
In between statements, Moreno continued to fire her gun.
“All I need is help,” she said. “I need help, that’s all.”
The gun fires off a few more times.
“There’s a bomb in this bag. Stop shooting,” she yelled, though officers shouted back to put the weapon down. “I won’t. The bomb is going to go off.”
More gunshots are fired when the officer with the camera notices the shooter is down before moving back with the other officers.
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Video surveillance from the church also captured the moment the shooter opened fire, as people quickly scrambled to get out of the way and to safety. The video also showed the moment Moreno fell to the ground because of gunfire.
“While we know there are unanswered questions, this is still an active investigation,” Finner said. “We will continue to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to thoroughly examine all aspects of this incident. Our partnership with religious institutions remains a priority. We will continue to enhance safety so that all who gather can do so safely and without fear.”
