As a concerned conservative mom, the shocking events that unfolded at Lakewood Church in Houston during the Spanish-language mass on Sunday have left me deeply troubled and questioning the safety of our places of worship. The attempted mass shooting by 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno has taken a distressing turn as new details emerge about her identity, motives, and legal status.

The Scene: Lakewood Church, home to renowned evangelical pastor Joel Osteen, witnessed terror around 2 PM on Sunday when Moreno entered the church with a rifle and her 5-year-old child. Despite off-duty officers swiftly neutralizing the threat, the tragic incident resulted in one churchgoer injured and Moreno’s child caught in the crossfire, with a grim prognosis for survival.

Another Transgender Shooter: What raises additional concerns is Moreno’s identification as transgender, having previously referred to herself as ‘Jeffrey.’ This incident adds to a disconcerting trend of transgender individuals involved in mass shootings, including Dylan Butler in Iowa, Audrey Hale in Nashville, Anderson Lee Aldrich in Colorado, Alec McKinney in Colorado, and Snochia Mosley in Maryland.

Political Affiliation: Moreno’s social media posts reveal her support for Bernie Sanders, with a “Free Palestine” sticker adorning her rifle. This political alignment adds a layer of complexity to an already perplexing situation, leaving many wondering about the potential influence of political ideologies on acts of violence.

Legal Status: Unconfirmed reports suggest that Moreno may have been an illegal alien from El Salvador, arriving in 2005. If true, her extensive criminal record since entering the country, which includes assault, theft, and drug possession, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of our immigration system in identifying and addressing potential threats.

Motive: Law enforcement is currently unable to determine a motive for the shooting, adding a frustrating layer of uncertainty to an already distressing situation. The lack of clarity raises concerns about whether there were warning signs that were overlooked or if there are deeper societal issues contributing to these acts of violence.

As a concerned conservative mom, I find myself grappling with the implications of these events on the safety of our communities and places of worship. It is crucial that we engage in open and honest discussions about the factors contributing to these incidents, addressing issues such as mental health, political extremism, and the effectiveness of our immigration system. Only through a comprehensive examination can we hope to prevent such tragedies in the future.