Texas Gunman Who Killed Five Could Be Anywhere in U.S. or Across the Border, FBI Says
The FBI has increased the reward for information that could help authorities find the suspect. Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press By Alyssa Lukpat May 2, 2023 11:54 am ET A manhunt for a 38-year-old accused of fatally shooting five people in Texas continued for a fourth day, with authorities saying he could be anywhere in the U.S. or across the border. The suspect, Francisco Oropesa, has been on the lam since Friday night, after he shot his neighbors in their house, said San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers. One
The FBI has increased the reward for information that could help authorities find the suspect. Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press
A manhunt for a 38-year-old accused of fatally shooting five people in Texas continued for a fourth day, with authorities saying he could be anywhere in the U.S. or across the border.
The suspect, Francisco Oropesa, has been on the lam since Friday night, after he shot his neighbors in their house, said San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers. One of the victims was a young boy. They lived in Cleveland, Texas, about 40 miles north of Houston.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Houston said Tuesday it is working with state, national and international law-enforcement agencies to find Mr. Oropesa. Authorities said last weekend they had no idea where he was and that he was armed and dangerous. Hundreds of officials in Texas have gone door to door looking for him.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned,” the FBI’s Houston field office said.
Authorities searched wooded areas in Cleveland, Texas, on Monday.
Photo: Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle/Associated Press
Sheriff Capers said at a news briefing over the weekend that the shooting began shortly after the neighbors approached Mr. Oropesa’s fence on Friday night and asked him to stop shooting in the yard. They had a baby who was trying to sleep, he said.
“I’ll do what I want to in my front yard,” Mr. Oropesa said, according to Sheriff Capers.
Neighbors had previously called the authorities multiple times about Mr. Oropesa shooting in his yard. He had been drinking on Friday night, Sheriff Capers said.
Sheriff Capers said the victims had security-camera footage showing the gunman approaching their home with a weapon. He fatally shot all five victims “almost execution-style” from the neck up, Sheriff Capers said. Then the gunman escaped.
“I pretty much can guarantee you, he’s contacted some of his friends. We just don’t know which friends they are,” James Smith,
Officials are offering an $80,000 reward for information leading to Mr. Oropesa’s capture, Mr. Smith said. He said authorities had zero leads about Mr. Oropesa’s location.
“We’re asking everyone for your help so we can bring this suspect, or this monster, I will call him, to justice,” Mr. Smith said at another news briefing Sunday.
Neighbors left items outside the home where the shooting occurred.
Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press
At least 10 people lived in the house and nobody else was injured, Sheriff Capers said. Two women died shielding at least two children with their bodies. The children survived but were covered in the women’s blood, Sheriff Capers said.
The FBI and Honduran officials said the victims included three women, a man and a young boy. The victims would be repatriated to Honduras, according to officials there.
Sheriff Capers said Mr. Oropesa had a Mexican consulate card. Mr. Oropesa’s wife talked to investigators after the shooting, Sheriff Capers said.
The gunman used an AR-style rifle in the shooting, Sheriff Capers said. Authorities found a weapon matching that description in the suspect’s house along with a hunting rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, he said. Investigators discovered clothes and a cellphone in a nearby forest, Sheriff Capers said.
Write to Alyssa Lukpat at [email protected]
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