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Who is Francisco Oropesa? What we know about suspect accused of 5 murders in San Jacinto County

Francisco Oropesa (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas – A mass shooting in San Jacinto County overnight Friday ended with five dead, including a 9-year-old, and the suspect is believed to be the next-door neighbor of the victims.

DAY 2: New photos released of fugitive tied to murders of 5 people in a San Jacinto County home

Authorities said the suspect, 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, had been shooting his rifle in his yard, and a neighbor asked if he could stop because they had a baby that was trying to sleep inside. The sheriff’s office said the suspect told the victims he would do what he wanted.

RELATED: 8-year-old among 5 dead in mass shooting in San Jacinto County | Sheriff says their neighbor is the accused gunman

When deputies arrived, four members of a family were found dead in the home. A fifth person, a 9-year-old child, was flown to a hospital where they later died.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said they were able to identify Oropesa through his Mexican consulate card and a doorbell camera.

“We know him by name, date of birth. We’ve got his Mexican consulate card. Plus, there was a ring doorbell on the victim’s house that we actually captured him coming up to the front door with the weapon,” Capers said.

Capers said they have had previous calls to Oropesa’s home regarding him shooting his rifle in the yard.

“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had a call out here, but we have researched a little bit of that. And we have found some prior history at this residence,” he said.

Capers said Oropesa had an AR15 style rifle along with at least two other weapons found inside his home. He also said they are interviewing Oropesa’s wife.

According to DPS records, Oropesa does have an arrest for DWI in 2009.

A warrant has been issued for Oropesa on five counts of murder. His bond has been set at $5 million.

On Sunday, Senator Ted Cruz tweeted that ICE is saying Oropesa was in the country illegally and had been deported before.


About the Author

Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up. He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing.

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