SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas – A mass shooting in San Jacinto County last Friday ended with five dead including an 8-year-old and the suspect is believed to be a neighbor of the victims.
A manhunt is currently underway for Francisco Oropeza, 38. Authorities say the man was shooting his rifle in his yard, and a neighbor asked if he could stop because they had a child who was trying to sleep. inside. The sheriff’s office said the suspect told the victims he would do whatever he wanted.
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When deputies arrived, four members of a family were found dead in the home. The fifth person, an 8-year-old child, was taken to a hospital where they died.
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said they identified Oropeza through his Mexican consulate card and doorbell camera.
“We know his name, date of birth. We have his Mexican consulate card. In addition, someone rang the doorbell at the victim’s house and we actually caught him going up to the front door with a weapon,” said Capers.
Capers said that they had previously received a call from Oropeza’s home regarding him shooting his rifle in the yard.
“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve called here, but we did a little research on that. And we found some early history in this habitat,” he said.
Capers said that Oropeza had an AR15 style rifle along with two other weapons that were found inside his home. He said they interviewed Oropeza’s wife.
According to DPS records, Oropeza had a DWI arrest in 2009.
A warrant was issued for Oropeza on five counts of murder. His bond was set at $5 million.
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