A manhunt is underway for Francisco Oropesa, 38, who is accused of shooting and killing five people in Cleveland, Texas, including an eight-year-old boy, in response to a noise complaint on Friday.
Oropesa is still at large and considered armed and dangerous, with authorities admitting on Sunday that they have “zero leads” as to his whereabouts.
The victims of the shooting have been identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25, her son Daniel Enrique Laso, 8, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21, Julisa Molina Rivera, 31, and Josué Jonatán Cáceres, 18.
The shooting occurred after Oropesa’s neighbors asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard late at night because a baby was trying to sleep.
Authorities have widened the search area beyond the scene of the shooting, and the FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information regarding Oropesa’s whereabouts.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office is contributing a $50,000 reward, and the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Office is also offering a $5,000 sum. The total reward money is $80,000.
However, Governor Abbott sparked controversy with his statement, which referred to the victims as “illegal immigrants.” Social media users were quick to criticize Abbott and corrected him, stating that the victims were people.
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers has urged the public to report any information about Oropesa’s whereabouts.
The suspect, who is originally from Mexico, remains at large, and residents in the area have been advised to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Multiple shooting incidents leave several injured, dead across Mississippi, Houston, Seattle
In another shooting incident in Mississippi, Cameron Brand, a 19-year-old man, was arrested and charged with shooting six people, two of whom later died at the hospital.
The incident occurred in Bay St. Louis, where police responded to a call about multiple gunshot victims. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 18 years old.
Meanwhile, in Houston, police are investigating a possible road rage shooting that left a man injured in the leg. The shooting occurred near Sunnyside, and police believe it may have been due to road rage.
Also, in Seattle, 3 people were shot, with two later succumbing to their injuries. Police are searching for another man who was involved in the incident but left the scene before the officers arrived.
Authorities in each case are investigating the shootings and seeking information from the public to help identify and apprehend the suspects.
The incidents once again highlight the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States and the need for greater measures to address it.
