Texas massacre suspect in custody

Mugshot of Francisco Oropeza, 38, is accused of opening fire on his neighbors in Cleveland, a city north of Houston. Photo via FBI Houston.
Mugshot of Francisco Oropeza, 38, is accused of opening fire on his neighbors in Cleveland, a city north of Houston. Photo via FBI Houston.

OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
UPDATED 7:25 PM – Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Authorities apprehend the illegal immigrant suspected of killing five of his neighbors in a small town in southeastern Texas. 

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Officials said 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa was arrested in the city of Cut and Shoot, Texas on Tuesday evening. Officials said a phone tip led police to a home located 40 miles north of Houston. The tip came in at 5:15 p.m. and he was arrested at 6:30 p.m. Oropesa was found inside of a closet hiding underneath a pile of clothes.

He was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with first-degree murder. The 38-year-old was booked into the Montgomery County jail.

The days-long manhunt began after Oropesa opened fire on his neighbors last week. He killed five people including a nine-year-old boy. All of the victims were believed to be from Honduras. 

The victims have been identified as Daniel Enrique Laso, 9; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; and Julisa Molina Rivera, 31.

More than 250 law enforcement officers aided in the search. Additionally, police offered $80,000 in rewards for any tips leading to an arrest. Authorities say the reward will go to the person who called the tip line with Oropesa’s location.

He is being held on $5 million bond.

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