Global Courant 2023-05-03 07:24:29
The mass shooting suspect accused of killing five neighbors, including an 8-year-old child in Cleveland, Texas, was taken into custody Tuesday, sources tell Fox News.
Multiple sources told Fox News that 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa was taken into custody in the Cleveland area by the Border Patrol Tactical Unit. Officials said at a news conference that the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip at 5:15 p.m. that led to an arrest at 6:30 p.m.
Francisco Oropesa, 38, is accused of murdering five of his neighbors in Cleveland, Texas, before midnight on April 28, after one of his neighbors reportedly asked him to stop firing a shotgun in his yard to to put baby to sleep.
According to the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, Oropesa allegedly entered the neighboring home after the conversation and killed five of the 10 people inside.
CLEVELAND, TEXAS, SHOOTING SUSPECTS STAYS GREAT; $80,000 REWARD OFFERED FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CARRIED ON THE FLEE
Francisco Oropesa (F.B.I. Houston)
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said at a news conference Tuesday evening that the suspect was hiding under the laundry.
“The bottom line is we now have this guy in custody. He was caught hiding in a closet under some laundry,” Capers said.
Capers said the family “can rest easy” knowing that Oropesa has been found, adding that “he will spend his life behind bars for killing those five.”
Oropesa, a Mexican national, is an undocumented immigrant who has previously been deported at least four times, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement source told Fox News.
The deceased victims were identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, Daniel Enrique Laso Guzman, 9, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18.
TEXAS FUGEA CLAIMED OF KILLING 5 WAS ILLEGAL IN US; PERFORMED 5 TIMES
Here are the latest images of Francisco Oropesa and a prominent tattoo on his left forearm. In the future, the subject’s last name will be spelled “Oropesa” to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. This remains a liquid investigation. (F.B.I. Houston)
The FBI said Sunday night that more than 250 law enforcement officers from various agencies were searching for Oropesa.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Houston Field Office special agent Jimmy Paul said Oropesa was located based on a tip from the agency’s tip line.
“Thanks to whoever had the courage to pass on this tip. We’ve always said it wasn’t a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’ he would be captured, and we’re glad tonight was that ‘when “What we’ve all been waiting for,” said Paul.
Capers said the $80,000 reward will go to the person who called the tip that led to an arrest. He said Oropesa will be charged with five counts of murder on $5 million bail.
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CLEVELAND, TX – APRIL 29: FBI Special Agent Houston James Smith and San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers speak to media near the crime scene where five people, including an 8-year-old child, were killed following a shooting in a home on April 29, 2023 in Cleveland, Texas. The alleged gunman, who is not yet in custody, used an AR-15 style rifle to shoot his neighbors, also wounding at least three others. ((Photo by Go Nakamura/Getty Images))
This undated photo released by the FBI (Houston) shows Francisco Oropesa. Knocks continue on Oropesa, who is accused of fatally shooting five of his neighbors late Friday, April 28, 2023, in the rural community of Cleveland, Texas. ((FBI via AP))
Oropesa was previously convicted of drunk driving in January 2021 and was sentenced to prison, according to data reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Danielle Wallace of Fox News, Bill Melugin and Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
Griff Jenkins is currently a Washington correspondent for the FOX News Channel (FNC) and co-anchor of FOX News live. He joined the network in 2003 as a radio producer and associate producer War Stories with Oliver North.