A tragic incident occurred in southeast Texas early Saturday morning, where a man shot and killed five of his neighbors, including an 8-year-old child, inside their home. At least three other individuals were injured. Francisco Oropeza, a 38-year-old resident of Cleveland, Texas, is the primary suspect and has fled the scene. The San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office has requested public assistance in locating him since they believe he is no longer in the county.
According to San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers, the suspect lived next door to the victims and opened fire after a neighbor asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard due to the noise level, as an infant was trying to sleep. The suspect, armed with an AR-15 style rifle, argued that it was his property and later approached the front door of his neighbor’s house. Four people were discovered dead inside the residence, including three women and a man, with all five having gunshot wounds to the head. The child was declared dead at a local hospital.
The sheriff’s department has indicated that two people who were inside the home during the incident were evaluated at the scene and discharged, while the remaining three were hospitalized. The sheriff also disclosed that his office had previously visited the suspect’s house and warned him about “shooting his gun in the yard.” This is an unfortunate and distressing incident, and our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones during this difficult time.