In a shocking revelation, the former mother-in-law of the woman who opened fire at a Houston megachurch has come forward, stating that she tirelessly tried to alert authorities and others about her ex-daughter-in-law's mental health struggles. Walli Carranza shared her concerns in an interview with The Associated Press, asserting that her actions fell upon deaf ears.

The tragic incident occurred at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church when Genesse Moreno, accompanied by her 7-year-old son, entered the church and opened fire in a hallway. Two individuals were wounded, including Moreno's son, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Security officers quickly intervened and fatally shot Moreno after an exchange of gunfire.

Carranza firmly believes that a combination of systemic failures and lax gun laws ultimately led to the shooting incident. She emphasized that a healthy mother would never subject her child to such a dangerous situation and argued that the blame should not be solely placed on the mentally ill mind. Instead, she highlighted the need to address the shortcomings of existing systems.

While Carranza's grandson, Samuel, remains in critical condition, she expressed cautious optimism about his recovery. However, several unanswered questions about the shooting persist, including Moreno's motive and how she obtained the AR-style rifle she used.

Carranza revealed that her son, Enrique Carranza, met Moreno at the University of Houston, and they married in September 2015. However, their relationship deteriorated, leading to their divorce in 2022. Despite the separation, Enrique Carranza wanted his ex-wife to seek help and get better.

Concerns about Moreno's actions were reportedly brought to the attention of Child Protective Services (CPS). Nurses accused Moreno of administering adult medication through her son's feeding tube after his birth in 2016. Additionally, allegations were made about Moreno leaving guns unattended in her home. However, no action was taken by CPS, according to Carranza.

Carranza further disclosed a chilling incident in January 2020 when Samuel, during a visit to Colorado, handed her a handgun from his diaper bag. These incidents served as clear indicators of potential harm to the child, as Carranza had warned against the possibility of him shooting himself.

When it comes to the role of Lakewood Church, Carranza said that she and her attorney had reached out to the church for assistance in intervening in Moreno's struggles. It was believed that Moreno's mother attended the church. However, church spokesman Don Iloff stated that there were no records of Moreno attending the church after 2022, and there was no evidence of her mother's association with the church.

Iloff maintained that their records did not show any emails sent by Carranza's attorney but assured that they would continue looking into the matter. In such situations, the church aims to provide spiritual and biblical counseling to those seeking help.

Texas law prohibits felons from owning guns for several years after their release from prison, and misdemeanors related to domestic violence can also trigger a gun ownership ban. However, Moreno's lengthy list of misdemeanors did not meet the threshold for such a ban. Texas also does not have a "red flag" law, which could enable the seizure of guns in cases where individuals are considered dangerous due to mental health concerns or threats of violence.

Carranza recently met with FBI agents to discuss the reports she had filed over the years regarding Moreno's behavior. As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for improved mental health support and stronger gun control measures.

Associated Press writer Jim Vertuno in Austin contributed to this report.