2023-04-30 23:14:41
image source, Reuters
An FBI agent called suspect Francisco Oropeza, 38, “armed and dangerous”.
The FBI is looking for a man suspected of killing five of his neighbors in Texas after an argument because the man was practicing shooting with his guns at home.
An FBI agent described the suspect, Francisco Oropeza, 38, as “armed and dangerous“.
The man is believed to have opened fire on his neighbors after they asked him to stop shooting because they were trying to put a baby to sleep.
The victims were all from Honduras.and include an eight-year-old boy.
The authorities identified them as Sonia Argentina Guzmán, 25 years old; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 8.
“[Oropeza] is loose, and is a threat to the community“Houston FBI Special Agent in Charge James Smith said.
Local sheriff Greg Capers said: “We’re tracking it with dogs and men on horseback and drones in the air“.
“Right now, it could be anywhere,” he added.
The incident
image source, Reuters
Police say the incident started when the man was testing his weapons near his home, according to police reports. .
The shooting took place Friday night in the small San Jacinto County city of Cleveland, north of Houston.
The local sheriff’s office said that initially received a call for a complaint of “harassment”.
Investigators believe the victims had asked Oropeza – who is believed to have been drinking – to stop shooting so they could put a baby to sleep.
Police say the suspect responded, “I’m going to shoot in my front yard, I’m going to do whatever I want in my house.”
After both parties returned to their homes, the suspect “filled up his clip and walked over to his neighbor’s house and started shooting,” Sheriff Capers said.
A total of ten people were on the property at the time. The adults were pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, and the eight-year-old boy died at a hospital.
The gunman is believed to have used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.
image source, Reuters
Sheriff Capers said the killings had been carried out “almost like an execution”, with shots being shot above the neck at close range.
Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina tweeted: “We demand that the full weight of the law be applied against those responsible for this crime.”
The incident occurred days after nine people were injured in a shooting at a teen party in West Texas.
Two weeks ago, four young men were shot to death during a birthday party in Alabama.
Firearms incidents are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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