A sticker saying "Palestine" was on the AR-15 rifle a woman used to open fire at celebrity pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, injuring two, including her son, according to police
Some antisemitic writings have been recovered, but a motive behind the Sunday afternoon shooting has not been determined, according to police.
"We do believe that there was a familial dispute that has taken place between her ex-husband and her ex-husband's family," some of whom are Jewish, police said.
The suspect, 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, entered the church with her 7-year-old son, and she may have pointed her weapon at a security officer to force her way into the church, police said.
Moreno opened fire with the AR-15 at 1:55 p.m., police said.
Two off-duty officers fired back, striking the suspect, police said. She was pronounced dead at 2:07 p.m., police said.
The 7-year-old was shot in the head and is "fighting for his life" in critical condition, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Monday.
A man believed to be a parishioner was also shot and has since been released from the hospital, Finner said.
Doug Williams, special agent in charge of the FBI Houston field office, stressed that the "number of casualties and victims would have been much higher" without the off-duty officers' "heroic" actions.
Authorities said they believe Moreno acted alone. She also had with her a second gun: a .22-caliber rifle. The AR-15 was purchased legally, police said.
Police said the suspect has "a mental health history that is documented through us and through interviews with family." Police said she was put under an emergency detention order by Houston police in 2016.
Moreno has a number of arrests on her record, which investigators are reviewing, a law enforcement official said.
Moreno allegedly threatened that she had a bomb, police said. Officials searched her car and backpack but nothing was found. She also appeared to be spraying an unknown substance, authorities said.
Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said Monday that officials determined "there is no risk of exposure to any chemical or product," stressing that the substances were all benign, common products.
The shooting unfolded shortly before the church's 2 p.m. Spanish language service was set to begin.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement, "I will not make any assumptions because information continues to come in as to what motivated the shooter, but I am asking that the investigation look into whether it was a hate crime, given the shooting took place at an all-Spanish service."
Houston Mayor John Whitmire on Monday addressed the city's "diverse community," promising, "We are going to provide you protection." He said security will be increased at Houston's churches, synagogues and mosques.
"Our community is devastated by today's events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement," Osteen wrote on social media Sunday. "Please join me in continued prayer for healing and peace."
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the sticker on the shooter's gun said "Palestine," per police, not "Free Palestine."
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