in Crime, Politics

Disturbing ‘Execution Style’ Shooting Leaves Five Dead in Texas

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A tragic incident unfolded in a Texas home when a man armed with an AR-15 style rifle fatally shot five people in what has been described as ‘execution style’ shootings. The suspect, 39-year-old Francisco Oropeza, is currently being pursued by authorities, who have issued an arrest warrant and set a $5 million bond. It is believed that Oropeza might still be within a two-mile radius of the crime scene, potentially on foot or using a bicycle as his means of transport.

The horrifying event took place at roughly 11:31 p.m. local time on Friday when San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding harassment in the town of Cleveland, located about 55 miles north of Houston. When officials arrived at the scene, they discovered multiple victims who had been shot on the property.

The casualties included three women and two men, one of whom was only 8 years old. Upon further investigation, officers found two female victims in a bedroom lying on top of two uninjured children. Three more minors were discovered elsewhere in the house, covered in blood but unharmed. The children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

It seems the dreadful massacre might have originated from a simple request by neighbors asking Oropeza to stop firing his gun in the front yard as a baby was attempting to sleep. Sheriff Greg Capers shared with KTRK that the victims had politely asked Oropeza to refrain from discharging his weapon, only to be met with hostility from the intoxicated suspect who insisted on doing what he wanted on his property.

According to Sheriff Capers, the situation quickly escalated from harassment to murder. Officers believe that some of the victims had attempted to protect their children, as several bodies were found lying atop children who had escaped injury. Capers explained to KTRK, ‘In my opinion, they were actually trying to take care of the babies and keep them alive.’

The armed suspect, Oropeza, is described by authorities as a Hispanic man, approximately 5-foot-8, last seen wearing jeans, a black shirt, and work boots. He is said to have short black hair and a goatee. It’s not uncommon for Oropeza to casually shoot his .223 rifle in the front yard, as evidenced by the numerous shell casings found there.

Sheriff Capers confirmed that a .223 rifle was used in the tragic shooting, but was unable to verify how many times his deputies had been previously called to the shooter’s property. When police arrived at the scene, a total of 10 individuals were present in the home, with the victims’ ages ranging between 8 and 40.

Capers believes that the 10 individuals involved were all members of the same household, with four or five of them having relocated from Houston within the previous three to four days. Residents in the area have been cautioned to remain indoors and away from the crime scene until the investigation is complete, although authorities do not suspect that the Mexican national is still in the vicinity.

As the search continues, Capers stated: ‘We are getting closer to him every minute of every hour, but we know who he is.’ While the individual identities of the victims have not been released, police have shared that they were all from Honduras and that four of them were pronounced dead at the scene. The fifth victim, the 8-year-old boy, was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Capers revealed to KTRK that each of the victims suffered gunshot wounds to the neck or higher, suggesting a calculated and sinister ‘execution style’ approach. Surveillance footage from a Ring doorbell at the crime scene shows the shooter entering the home with a weapon in hand.

In addition to the firearm used in the attack, authorities discovered two other weapons inside the home during a subsequent search. The shooter’s wife is currently being interviewed by investigators, as they work tirelessly to piece together the full story of what transpired that terrible night.

In an interview with KTRK, local resident Veronica Pineda shared her perspective on the prevalent issue of gun violence in the area. ‘There’s always shootings, there’s always shooting,” Pineda said with a sigh. “There’s always people calling the cops and there’s nothing being done.’ She went on to explain that neighbors commonly discharge firearms on weekends and holidays.

As a result, Pineda and her family have grown accustomed to the unsettling sound of gunshots at night. Describing her experience, she stated: ‘We were in bed and my kids – I have two babies – they got scared, and we’re like, ‘it’s normal they’re always shooting.’’

While Pineda didn’t claim to know the alleged shooter very well, she noted that she would occasionally wave to him as he passed by with his horses. The peaceful facade of such encounters underscores the shocking nature of the devastating incident that unfolded on Friday night.

For now, the community is left to grapple with the harsh reality of this deeply tragic event, and it remains to be seen what consequences await Oropeza if and when he is apprehended by authorities. In the meantime, the families directly impacted by this senseless act of violence must come to terms with their heartbreaking loss.