- Texas manhunt ends after 4 days of the tragic incident.
- A tip from undisclosed source led to the arrest of the accused, Francisco Oropeza
- He was captured from a nearby house, hiding under the pile of laundry.
Gunman Accused of Killing Five Neighbors is Captured
Texas manhunt ends which spanned four days for a suspected gunman who allegedly killed five neighbors came to a close on Tuesday. Acting on a tip, authorities discovered the suspect, Francisco Oropeza, hiding under a pile of laundry in a closet of a nearby house not far from where the shooting occurred.
Where did Killing Incident took Place?
The incident took place in the rural town of Cleveland, where Oropeza allegedly shot his neighbors with an AR-style rifle on Friday night after they asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard due to it disturbing a baby’s sleep. Oropeza was captured without incident near Houston, approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from his home.
Where the Arrest Happened?
The arrest occurred near Conroe, concluding an extensive manhunt that included more than 250 people from multiple jurisdictions. Francisco Oropeza, the accused was hiding under a pile of laundry in a closet of a nearby house not far from where the shooting occurred. As recently as Tuesday morning, the FBI had acknowledged that Oropeza’s whereabouts were unknown, making the apprehension a significant achievement for law enforcement officials.
Texas Manhunt Ends with the help of a Tip
According to FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, a tip received at 5:15 p.m. led to the arrest of Oropeza just over an hour later. The alleged shooter, who is a Mexican national, had been deported four times between 2009 and 2016, according to U.S. immigration officials. While more than 200 tips were received by investigators, FBI spokesman Connor Hagan stated that the identity of the person who provided the critical tip would not be disclosed.
Joint Agency Effort and Technology Used in Texas Manhunt
According to Hagan, Oropeza was apprehended by a joint effort of the U.S. Marshals, Texas Department of Public Safety, and US Border Patrol’s BORTAC team. The manhunt involved the use of drones and scent-tracking dogs and included an extensive search of a heavily wooded forest located a few miles from the shooting site. Republican Governor Greg Abbott also offered a reward of $50,000 as the search extended into the weekend.
Survivor Recounts Traumatic Experience During Texas Shooting
Wilson Garcia, a survivor of the shooting, recounted that Oropeza began firing as soon as he arrived at their home, killing his wife first at the front door. Friends and family members who were present attempted to hide and protect themselves and the children.
The victims were later identified as Diana Velazquez Alvarado, aged 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, aged 31, Jose Jonathan Casarez, aged 18, Sonia Argentina Guzman, aged 25, and Daniel Enrique Laso, aged 9.
The original article can be read at The Associated Press.
