A manhunt is underway by the Police and Texas Rangers in search of a 39-year-old suspect accused of opening fire on his neighbors, shooting an 8-year-old and four others. The Texas man was armed with an AR-style rifle. According to the police, the suspect, Francisco Oropeza, 38, went next door and began shooting after the family asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep.
The Dallas Morning News reports:
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities were still searching for the 39-year-old suspect following the overnight shooting in the town of Cleveland, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Houston. He said the suspect, whom he did not identify, used an AR-style rifle in the shooting.
Capers said there were 10 people in the house and that no one else was injured. He said two of the victims, all believed to be from Honduras, were found laying over two children inside.
“The Honduran ladies that were laying over these children were doing it in such an effort as to protect the child,” Capers said.
The confrontation followed family members walking up to the fence and asking the suspect to stop shooting rounds, Capers said. The suspect responded by telling them that it was his property, according to Capers, and that one person in the house got a video of the suspect walking up to the front door with the rifle.
Three of the victims were women, and one was a man. Their names were not released. Capers said the victims were between the ages of 8 and about 40 years old.
Authorities have previously been to the suspect’s home, according to Capers. “Deputies have come over and spoken with him about him shooting his gun in the yard,” he said.
Capers said there were 10 people in the house at the time. Four were confirmed dead at the scene, and the 8-year-old child was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Capers said that three other patients were transported to the hospital and their status "is not known at this time."
