Texas shooting: 5 killed, including 8-year-old in San Jacinto County, shooter still missing

Law enforcement officials are expanding their search radius up to 20 miles as they continue the manhunt for Francisco Oropeza, a mass shooting suspect in San Jacinto County. Oropeza is accused of opening fire and killing five people, including an 8-year-old child.

According to San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers, Francisco Oropeza was using an AR-15 to fire shots outside his residence on Walters Rd. in Cleveland, TX around 11:30 p.m. on Friday. When his neighboring residents requested him to halt due to their sleeping infant, Oropeza refused to stop.

After reportedly being asked by his neighbors to stop firing his AR-15 due to their sleeping baby, Francisco Oropeza refused and allegedly stated that he would do as he pleased. Law enforcement officials claim that Oropeza, who was under the influence of alcohol, then proceeded to carry out a shooting spree, executing all five members of the family before fleeing the scene.

Oropeza has not been sighted since the incident.
The authorities have disclosed the names and ages of the victims, who tragically lost their lives in the mass shooting. They are Sonia Argentina Guzman, aged 25, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, aged 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, aged 31, Jose Jonathan Casarez, aged 18, and Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, a mere 8 years old.

Francisco Oropeza

While the tragic shooting incident unfolded, a total of 10 individuals were present inside the residence. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers stated that apart from the five deceased victims, three children were discovered covered in blood and were immediately transported to the hospital for medical attention.

Two other occupants who were present inside the house during the shooting were also examined for injuries on-site but were later released after evaluation.
Those who knew the family from Honduras were heartbroken to learn the tragic news.

"I'm shocked and sad because I did know the people, the victims. It’s heartbreaking because I used to see him (Daniel) every day walk to the bus stop," said neighbor, Vivian Posada.

"The fact that it was the type of gun that it was, everybody should not be allowed to have those types of weapons," Barbara S. Justice, President of the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce.
Instead of their customary fundraising event, the San Jacinto County Democrats arranged a prayer vigil to honor the memory of the shooting victims.

"That’s the kind of thing we just don’t see in San Jacinto County, so to say it’s shaken the community, would be a dramatic understatement. Here we have another case where it’s easier to get a machine gun than a fishing license and we continue to see these tragedies across the United States; kids dying," said San Jacinto County Democratic Party Chairman John Michael Adams said.

According to the Sheriff, law enforcement officials have identified the shooter as Francisco Oropeza, based on surveillance footage from a Ring Doorbell that captured him with the firearm. The SWAT team has already searched his residence, but as of now, Oropeza is still at large, and several agencies are actively pursuing him. The search radius has been extended, and there are suspicions that Oropeza could be on foot, although there is uncertainty about his current location.

The FBI Houston has assumed command of the investigation into the mass shooting incident. "We, as a society, must strive for improvement because good is no longer sufficient. We must unite and work together towards change because the loss of a loved one, be it a child or a family member, can happen to anyone," emphasized Pastor Jocelyn Traylor of the St. Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

Despite not having found Francisco Oropeza yet, Sheriff Capers stated that the authorities did recover a cell phone, along with clothing articles, that they had been searching for.

According to officials, law enforcement has responded to previous calls in the same neighborhood where the shooting took place. A judge has issued an arrest warrant for Francisco Oropeza and set a bail bond amounting to $5 million.

If you have any relevant tips or information that could aid the investigation, please contact the San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office at 936-653-4367. You can choose to remain anonymous.

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