As Houston still grapples with the aftermath of the terrifying ordeal at Lakewood Church, the identity of the shooter, Genesse Moreno, has become muddled in a sea misinformation and speculation surrounding her gender and legal status. In the days following the chaotic scene where Moreno opened fire before being fatally shot by police, various news outlets and social media platforms have painted conflicting portraits of the 36-year-old woman.
According to the Houston Chronicle, misinformation regarding Moreno's gender identity proliferated online after conservative influencers and figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk contributed to the conjecture. Authorities, however, clarified the matter, with Houston Police Department's Commander Christopher Hassig stating during a press conference, "She has utilized both male and female names, but through all of our investigation to this point...she has been identified as female. She. Her." Misreports were eventually corrected by major news outlets who had earlier incorporated the unsubstantiated claims into their coverage.
Intertwined with questions of Moreno's gender, rumors also surfaced about her being an undocumented immigrant. Disputing such claims, public records showed Moreno possessed a Texas driver's license, and she had previously declared U.S. citizenship in legal documents. Despite a brief immigration hold during a 2010 arrest, as noted by court records, no evidence has surfaced to suggest Moreno was in the country illegally.
Raising even more concerns, Conroe Police Department records revealed multiple calls to Moreno's home over the last five years, indicating a history of erratic behavior and disruptions. According to ABC13, neighbors reported instances of potential escalation and threats, one claiming Moreno once attempted to hit her with a car and in another instance brandished a gun. Despite the alarming nature of these reports, no arrests or mental health interventions were pursued by police.
As investigations continue, Houston police have unearthed antisemitic writings linked to Moreno and have indicated these may connect to an ongoing dispute with her Jewish former in-laws. Moreno's former mother-in-law, Walli Carranza, commented on Facebook that Moreno had previously ranted against Israel, attributing her behavior to mental illness.
