‘Zero Leads’ in Search for Illegal Immigrant Mass Murderer Who Killed 5, Including Child

Update: The New York Times has reported that “After a manhunt that stretched to the Mexican border, heavily armed Texas and federal officers on Tuesday arrested the man who they believe fatally shot five people in a neighborhood dispute outside the town of Cleveland, Texas, officials said.”

“The suspect, Francisco Oropesa, was ‘caught hiding in a closet underneath some laundry’ in a home a few miles from the site of the Friday shooting in San Jacinto County, said Greg Capers, the county sheriff.”


Law enforcement is searching for Francisco Oropesa Perez-Torres, a man accused of killing five of his neighbors in Cleveland, Texas, including a 9-year-old boy, on Friday.

Oropesa, who was illegally present in the United States and has been deported at least four times by immigration officials, opened fire after being asked to stop shooting his rifle near a neighbor’s home, according to authorities, CNN reports.

The alleged mass murderer is listed as one of Texas’ 10 most wanted fugitives.

Screenshot from https://www.dps.texas.gov/texas10mostwanted/MostWanted/fugitives

When Wilson Garcia and two other men asked him to stop shooting, Oropesa refused, and Garcia threatened to call the police.

The suspect then shot Garcia’s wife, Sonia Argentina Guzman, at their doorstep, before killing three other adults and Garcia’s son, Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman.

Before the deadly confrontation at Garcia’s home, five 911 calls had been made to report the gunman shooting his rifle outdoors, the father said.

Authorities are pleading for the public’s help in capturing Oropesa, who is considered armed and dangerous.

The FBI has dedicated over 250 law enforcement officers and $80,000 in reward money towards finding the Mexican national.

His current immigration status is unknown, and it is not known how long he had been in the US since he was last deported.

Oropesa’s extensive criminal record includes a conviction for driving while intoxicated in 2012, for which he was sentenced to 30 days in county jail.

Court records reviewed by CNN show that he was released a few days early with credit for time served.

Despite interviewing Oropesa’s wife multiple times, authorities have “zero leads” on his whereabouts as of Sunday afternoon, according to James Smith, FBI Houston special agent in charge.

The other victims of the shooting have been identified as Diana Velázquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and José Jonathan Cásarez, 18.

The massacre is among more than 180 mass shootings in the U.S. in just the first four months of the year, and like others, seemingly stemmed from an ordinary encounter.

“We consider him armed and dangerous,” said Smith. “He’s out there, and he’s a threat to the community.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott last week offered a $50,000 reward for information on Perez-Torres.

“I’ve announced a $50K reward for info on the criminal who killed 5 illegal immigrants Friday. Also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout,” Gov. Abbott tweeted.

“I continue working with state & local officials to ensure all available resources are deployed to respond.”

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