Ariana Baio,Andrea Blanco,Rachel Sharp and Graeme Massie
Wed, 3 May 2023 at 4:08 am BST
Francisco Oropesa, the man accused of shooting dead five people at his neighbour’s home in Cleveland, Texas, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday evening by Border Patrol special agents.
Mr Oropesa was reportedly taken in without incident in the nearby city of Cut and Shoot, after spending four days on the run since the horror attack Friday night.
Greg Capers, sheriff of San Jacinto County, said during a Tuesday press conference the “coward” was found hiding in a closet, following a tip to law enforcement.
“He was caught hiding in a closet underneath some laundry,” the sheriff said. “They effectively made the arrest. He is uninjured.”
In total, five victims – Sonia Argentina Guzman, Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, Julisa Molina Rivera and Jose Jonathan Casarez – were killed in the shooting, which began when the family living next door asked Mr Oropesa if he could stop firing his gun because their baby was trying to sleep.
Key Points
- Texas shooting suspect in custody four days after five people killed over noise complaint
- Five dead in Texas shooting as armed suspect on the loose
- Police found Oropesa by surveilling his wife
- Victims in deadly Texas shooting named as survivor recounts confronting gunman with machete
- What do we know about the suspect?
Multiple agencies involved in arrest of fugitive gunman
03:31 , Josh Marcus
Multiple law enforcement agencies were reportedly involved in the capture Tuesday evening of Francisco Oropesa, a Texas man accused of killing five of his neighbours on Friday.
US Marshals, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the US Border Patrol all were part of the operation that captured the 38-year-old, ABC 13 reports.
Police investigating how Oropesa bought assault rifle
03:18 , Josh Marcus
Francisco Oropesa, a Texas man who was wanted for allegedly shooting five people in the city of Cleveland on Friday, may have illegally bought an assault rifle used in the shootings.
Greg Capers, sheriff of San Jacinto County, said officials are investigating how the 38-year-old was able to obtain such a weapon given the man’s previous brushes with law enforcement, including being deported four times.
The sheriff said he thought the man may have been able to “buy it from somebody else on the street.”
Police found Oropesa by surveilling his wife
03:15 , Josh Marcus
New details have emerged in the arrest of Francisco Oropesa, who was wanted for allegedly shooting five people in the city of Cleveland, Texas, on Friday.
Police located the 38-year-old after a multi-day search by surveilling his phone then his wife.
Officers tracked the woman to a home near Cut and Shoot, Texas, that was associated with a family member, and Texas Department of Public Safety tactical officers entered the building, finding Mr Oropesa in a closet, CNN reports.
Police celebrate capture of ‘coward’ Francisco Oropesa
03:09 , Josh Marcus
Law enforcement agents celebrated on Tuesday evening that police have located and arrested Francisco Oropesa, who was wanted for shooting five people on Friday.
“He was caught hiding in a closet underneath some laundry,” Greg Capers, sheriff of San Jacinto County, said during a press conference on Tuesday evening. “They effectively made the arrest. He is uninjured.”
FBI special agent Jimmy Paul said a tip to federal authorities helped police capture the alleged gunman.
Houston FBI say over 200 law enforcement were looking for suspect
03:00 , Josh Marcus
“There are over 250 law enforcement officers from over a dozen agencies actively searching for Oropesa,” Houston FBI tweeted.
Francisco Oropesa charged with first-degree murder
02:50 , Josh Marcus
Following an investigation where leads seemed to be few and far between, the prosecution of Francisco Oropesa is now moving swiftly following his arrest on Tuesday.
On Tuesday evening, the 38-year-old was moved to the Montgomery County, Texas, jail and charged with first-degree murder, NBC News reports.
Neighbour describes regular ‘chaotic’ gunfire in area where Francisco Oropesa arrested
02:40 , Josh Marcus
The mass shooting of five people in the city of Cleveland, Texas, is part of a larger issue, according to community members.
One local resident told ABC 13 that random gunfire is a regular part of life in Cut and Shoot Texas, the area where Mr Oropesa was arrested on Tuesday evening.
“It’s chaotic,” the man told a local news crew. “Lack of law support from the sherif’s department, almost zero presence back here. If we do get something back here, nothing’s done about it.”
The man said he wants “responsible gun owners” and “good neighbours.”
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