Texas Shooting Leaves 5 Dead After Neighbor Fires Rifle: Suspect at Large
A tragic incident occurred in the town of Cleveland, Texas on April 29, 2023, as a Texas man opened fire on his neighbors, killing an 8-year-old child and four others in their home. The shooting reportedly occurred after the family asked the suspect, 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, to stop firing rounds in his yard because their baby was trying to sleep. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers stated that authorities were searching for Oropeza following the overnight shooting and were using scent-tracking dogs and an overhead drone in the search. The suspect was reported to have used an AR-style rifle in the shooting, and investigators believe they have possession of the weapon.
Capers revealed that there were a total of 10 people in the house at the time of the shooting and that the other five people inside were not hurt. Two of the victims, all believed to be from Honduras, were found lying over two children inside, as they were attempting to protect them. The victims were identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, Daniel Enrique Laso, 8, and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18. The suspect is still at large and faces five murder charges, and a judge has issued an arrest warrant and a $5 million bond.
The confrontation began as a harassment call to the sheriff’s office after family members walked up to the fence and asked the suspect to stop shooting rounds. One person in the house got a video of the suspect walking up to the front door with the rifle. Authorities had previously been to the suspect’s home, according to Capers, as deputies had spoken with him about shooting his gun in the yard.
The FBI is now leading the search operation, and all further updates on the case will come from the FBI. Texas Rangers were also aiding with the investigation. Across the U.S., there have been at least 18 shootings that left four or more people dead since Jan. 1, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today, in partnership with Northeastern University. The violence is sparked by a range of motives, including murder-suicides, domestic violence, gang retaliation, school shootings, and workplace vendettas.
Texas has faced multiple mass shootings in recent years, including last year’s attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, a racist attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019, and a gunman opening fire at a church in the tiny town of Sutherland Springs in 2017. A candlelit prayer vigil was scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. local time. No victim families were expected to attend.
