BREAKING: Lakewood Church Shooter Identified as Transgender Immigrant from El Salvador

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.

Her 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.

Previous mugshots show her looking much more feminine. pic.twitter.com/n8vKtpRhGs

— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024

Previous history includes weapons charges. pic.twitter.com/Z9X6OLIghr

— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024

More criminal history, per @houston_cf pic.twitter.com/gwNU5QmVZJ

— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12, 2024

Witnesses report that Moreno was dressed in a trench coat and backpack, and alarmingly, was accompanied by a child when she entered the church armed with a long rifle.

The Gateway Pundit reported earlier that the woman’s gun, which 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.

Two off-duty officers, a 28-year-old from the Houston Police Department and a 38-year-old Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent, both with under five years of service, confronted the shooter, resulting in her being shot.

A 57-year-old man, caught in the situation as an innocent bystander, was shot in the leg, added Chief Finner.

The child, whose relationship with Moreno has not been disclosed, was shot and is currently in critical condition.

This is developing. We will update this article as soon as additional details become available.

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