A woman who started shooting at a megachurch in Texas had her seven-year-old son at her side.
Authorities identified the woman as 36-year-old Genesse Moreno, saying she had opened fire inside Lakewood Church in Houston on February 11.
Two off-duty law enforcement officers who were working security at the church exchanged fire with Moreno.
She was killed shortly before 2pm local time in the hallway of the church as worshipers were arriving for a Spanish language service.
Emergency services attended the church at Lakewood Church in Houston on February 11
Reuters/Getty
Authorities said she had a history of mental illness and a trail of "antisemitic writings" as well as a sticker that read "Palestine."
The 7-year-old boy, whom officials said was Moreno's son, was shot in the head and remained in critical condition on Monday. Officials previously said he was five years old.
Assistant Houston Police Chief Keith Seafous said: "An off-duty HPD officer working as church security was notified by a Lakewood Church volunteer that Moreno had a gun. The officer immediately observed Ms. Moreno. She and the officer exchanged gunfire.
"A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent also working security for the church heard the gunfire and approached Moreno as she was firing her rifle. He fired his duty weapon at her. Moreno shouted 'stop shooting', claiming to have a bomb.
"The TABC agent told Moreno to put her weapon down but she refused. The agent fired his duty weapon again, striking her. She was declared deceased at the scene."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Joel Osteen holding a press conference following the shooting
Getty
Officials said they were still investigating how Moreno obtained her guns, one of which she appeared to have bought in December.
She brought two long rifles into the church - an AR-15, with which she fired multiple rounds, and a 22-caliber rifle that she had in reserve.
She forced her way past a security guard to enter the church around 1:55 p.m. on Sunday, wearing a backpack and a trench coat. She immediately started firing her AR-15, which had a sticker on the bumpstock that said "Palestine."
Moreno said at the scene that she had a bomb and was seen spraying some kind of substance, officials said, but law enforcement found no explosives after searching her backpack and vehicle and no risk of toxic substance exposure.
Lakewood Church is one of the largest houses of worship in the US, seating about 16,000 people in its sanctuary.
It is led by Joel Osteen, one of the wealthiest and most popular pastors and prosperity gospel preachers in the United States.
According to the church's website, Osteen's media broadcasts, podcasts and radio programming reach millions of U.S. households and audiences worldwide.