We still don't know all the facts about the shooting at Joel Osteen's mega-church in Houston yesterday, but the shooter has now been identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno. Yesterday, accompanied by her 5-year-old child, she entered the church, produced a long gun of some sort, and opened fire. Two off-duty police officers responded and shot her to death. Another bystander was wounded. Also hit by gunfire was her child, who is now in critical condition.
It appears from what has been revealed thus far that Moreno had a history of criminal arrests and mental health issues. There was writing or a sticker on the firearm she used with the word, "Palestine". (There are conflicting reports on this since some sources have stated the phrase was "Free Palestine".) Police have also reported that her personal writings have many anti-Semitic references. There is also speculation about her gender identity since she has a previous arrest under the name "Jeffrey Escalante".
I don't want to jump to conclusions, but it is apparent at this point that the Israel/Jewish-Palestinian issue has played a role in the motivation for this attack. If true, it's just more bloodshed in the name of the Palestinian cause. I will leave it there pending more details from the investigators.
1 comment:
I guess the Palestine issue played some role, even though her choice of a target makes no sense.
One thing that we should be talking about is how someone with that mental and criminal record was able to get such a weapon. Texas has permitless carry, which is probably the most significant factor.
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