HOUSTON, TX — Recently released body camera footage unveils the unsettling moment when a woman entered Houston's Lakewood Church on February 11 with an AR-15 and her young son, discharging numerous rounds before officers fatally shot her.
The footage captures 36-year-old Genesse Moreno entering the church's west entrance shortly before 2 p.m., holding her 7-year-old son's hand and concealing a rifle beneath a trench coat. She also carried a bag containing a second rifle and a backpack, warning that it might contain a bomb.
"Stand down, I have a bomb!" Moreno shouted as off-duty officers confronted her in the videos. The bomb threats caused some officers to hesitate after shooting her, as shown in the footage, but investigators later determined the threats were false.
The Houston Police Department released four body camera videos on its YouTube page on Monday, cautioning viewers that the content might be inappropriate for some, and discretion is advised.
"Hold on, she might have a bomb. That's the problem," an officer warned before approaching Moreno.
Screen Shot of Police Pursuing Shooter from YouTube Video Body Cam Footage
(Credit: YouTube Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHE…)
Body Cam Footage During Lakewood Church Shooting
(Credit: YouTube Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHE…)
Audio recordings indicate Moreno fired at least 50 rounds, with about 40 in the first 90 seconds. Officers repeatedly urged her to put the weapon down.
Before the incident, Moreno had a lengthy criminal record and a documented history of mental illness. Her mother-in-law expressed concerns that she was schizophrenic and posed a danger to her son.
"Stay calm, all I need is help!" Moreno yelled to officers while continuing to fire her rifle.
Security footage reveals the son distressed and covering his ears as he sought cover from gunfire. He was later shot in the head, though the footage does not clearly show the moment or the shooter.
At one point, Moreno yelled, "You killed my son!"
The son has been in critical condition for over two weeks and has undergone extensive brain surgeries. Although he is alive, he remains severely incapacitated, according to the latest update.
"It is important to note that we are in the very early stages of the investigation, and we continue to review additional evidence as it is collected and analyzed," said Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Keith Seafous.
Authorities Pursuing Shooter
(Credit: YouTube Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHE…)
Shooter Down
(Credit: YouTube Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHE…)
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Comments
Why?
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkPost a comment to this article here: