In a shocking incident that left a community devastated, Francisco Oropesa, aged 38, has been apprehended for the murder of five individuals, including a 9-year-old boy, in a Texas home. Following a tip received by the FBI, authorities located Oropesa in Cut and Shoot, Texas, less than 20 miles away from the crime scene.
The arrest marked the culmination of a four-day manhunt involving over 250 law enforcement officers, the FBI’s assistance, and an $80,000 reward for any pertinent information. Oropesa is now facing five counts of murder and is being held on a $5 million bond, as reported by NBC News.
The tragic shootings occurred in Cleveland, Texas, when a family member requested Oropesa to cease firing his AR-15 rifle, as an infant in their household was attempting to sleep. In response to Wilson Garcia’s wife urging Oropesa to stop shooting and approaching his residence, Oropesa callously declared his authority to do as he pleased, claiming it was his property.
According to CNN, tensions escalated as Oropesa hurled insults at the family, leading them to inform him that they were contacting the police. The victims have been identified as Daniel Enrique Laso, 9; Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18. Garcia’s son, Daniel, and his wife, Guzman, were among those tragically killed.
Although scent-tracking dogs were unable to track Oropesa, authorities managed to confiscate the AR-15 rifle used in the attack. The FBI confirmed that law enforcement officers are meticulously examining numerous pieces of information from various sources. Oropesa was armed with a handgun when he was apprehended.
The Associated Press reported that digital billboards in the Houston area displayed Oropesa’s image along with the reward information, with plans to expand the campaign statewide.
In a disheartening revelation, it was disclosed that Oropesa’s wife had filed a protective order against him last year, alleging physical abuse. She claimed that he had been intoxicated and had subjected her to punches, kicks, and threats while on the floor.
Governor Greg Abbott stated that Oropesa had been deported from the United States four times and was residing in Texas unlawfully. Governor Abbott condemned the killings as an “atrocious crime that devastated this community and this country.”
The apprehension of Francisco Oropesa brings a degree of closure to a community plagued by tragedy, but the devastating impact of this senseless act of violence will be felt for a long time to come.
