Law enforcement officials are on the hunt for Francisco Oropesa.
Fugitive who allegedly killed five people on Friday night in a mass shooting in Cleveland, Texas
The victims, including an 8-year-old boy, were shot execution-style in their home. Oropesa, who is in the country illegally and has been deported previously, has re-entered the U.S. illegally multiple times, according to an ICE source. He is considered armed and dangerous and is still at large more than 24 hours after the shooting.
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers and FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge James Smith announced a reward of $80,000 for tips leading to Oropesa’s arrest. There are currently more than 200 law enforcement officials searching for Oropesa, but they have zero leads. Capers’ main intent and focus are on capturing the suspect.
The FBI has released four new photos of Oropesa, including three of his face and one of a large tattoo of a woman wearing a headdress on one of his arms.
The FBI has corrected his name to Oropesa, rather than Oropeza, to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems
The tragedy shocked the community, and the victims have been identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, Daniel Enrique Laso Guzman, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, Julisa Molina Rivera, and Jose Jonathan Casarez. Oropesa allegedly shot the victims after one of them asked him to stop firing off rounds outside his home. No one else was injured, and two of the victims were found in a bedroom laying over two children in an apparent attempt to shield them.
Tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Correction picked up a scent and lost it in the water, according to the sheriff. The authorities found an abandoned cell phone and articles of clothing lying around, but Oropesa’s whereabouts are still unknown. The FBI has urged the public not to approach him and to report any sightings immediately.
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