HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Police Department has disclosed new footage that depicts the chaotic and harrowing circumstances that unfolded during the shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church last month.
The video compilation, which lasts for 26 minutes, captures the horrifying moments when the 36-year-old suspect, Genesse Moreno, started firing shots on February 11. Moreno’s violent act led to her death and caused severe injuries to her seven-year-old son, Samuel, who is now in critical condition. Additionally, a 57-year-old man was wounded by the gunshots.
The videotapes obtained from surveillance cameras installed inside the building, as well as bodycam footage, reveal how the crowd panicked and scattered when the off-duty police officers approached the shooter. The officers were strategically moving, often seeking cover to avoid the shooting spree.
Footage from an outdoor surveillance camera depicted Moreno pulling her son out from a white SUV, garbed in a long trench coat and a backpack, and headed towards the church.
A bodycam clip from an officer shows the congregation and off-duty officers mingling when the first gunshot sound led to an officer questioning, “What is that?” As people screamed and started running away, one officer whispered a prayer and suggested that another officer confront the shooter.
Various camera angles show the congregation’s confused and terrified reaction to the shooting, including a brief glimpse of young Samuel as he covers his ears and hides. As per the audio from a bodycam, Moreno declared that she was carrying a bomb and warned about blowing up the area. Despite her menacing threat, she oddly advised everyone to remain calm and claimed she was merely seeking help.
The footage concludes with Moreno being hit by the officers’ return fire, after which she was seen pacing the hallway until she collapsed. Eventually, the officers requested immediate medical attention for the injured Samuel, seen lying on the ground, and also a bomb squad for Moreno. However, a subsequent search of Moreno’s car and backpack revealed no trace of explosives.