HOUSTON — The woman who opened fire inside Lakewood Church last weekend legally purchased the weapons she had, but with her known mental health issues, many are wondering how that was possible.
Genesse Moreno, 36, was wearing a trench coat and a backpack Sunday when she threatened an unarmed security guard with an AR-15 before entering Lakewood with her 7-year-old son. She was killed by two law enforcement officers who were working security at the church.
During the gun battle, the boy was shot in the head. He was still in critical condition and fighting for his life as of Friday afternoon.
With Moreno's history, people are wondering how she was able to get her hands on the weapons. She has a documented history with neighbors and law enforcement.
The AR-15 she fired at the church was legally bought in December.
Some people are wondering if the tragedy at Lakewood could have been prevented.
According to Texas criminal records, Moreno had been arrested several times.
In 2005, she was arrested for failure to stop and give information.
In 2009, she was arrested for assaulting a public servant and assault causing bodily injury.
In 2010, she had a few charges: forgery to defraud or harm another, possession of marijuana, theft and evading arrest.
In 2016, Houston police said she was placed under emergency detention.
In 2022, she was arrested for unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Residents who lived near her in Conroe had complaints of their own. Records show that they called the police several times over the last two years.
Neighbors reported harassment, threatening behavior and loud music. One neighbor said Moreno tried to hit them with her car and also threatened them.
How was she able to buy a gun?
That leads to the question: How was she allowed to buy the gun?
"The way the law stands right now, the way that I understand it, this woman could have bought as many guns as she wanted," law professor Dru Stevenson said.
Stevenson, with South Texas College of Law, said the fact that a person has a mental diagnosis isn't enough to prevent them from purchasing guns.
"If the person has not been adjudicated by a court under federal law, they can still buy a gun," he said.
According to experts, other reasons make it easier for people like Moreno to buy a gun such as the fact that you don't always have to pass a background check -- you can buy guns from a secondary market through private sellers.
That's why a lot of people believe a red flag law would help prevent scenarios like what happened at the megachurch over the weekend.
"If you have a person whose extended family knows they are unstable and sometimes violent ... local police can petition the court to have her guns removed," Stevenson said.
Investigators said they're still trying to figure out a motive for the shooting.