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Francisco Oropesa: Gunman accused of killing 5 neighbors in Texas home arrested after tip-off, found hiding in closet

An unidentified woman was also detained at the scene and is reported to be Francisco Oropesa's aunt

CUT AND SHOOT, TEXAS: Francisco Oropesa, the 38-year-old gunman accused of killing five of his neighbors on the night of April 29 with an AR-15 rifle in their Texas home, was arrested on Tuesday, May 2, after days of a long man-hunt. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said, that the suspect, whose full name is reportedly Francisco Oropesa Perez-Torres, was "caught hiding in a closet.”

Confirming the news of his arrest, San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office wrote, "It is confirmed that Francisco Oropeza has been captured and charged with murder in the alleged shooting deaths of 5 people in Trails End." And added, "Oropeza was captured Tuesday evening [May 2] in Cut and Shoot by Task Force agents after an extensive and exhaustive 4-day manhunt involving more than 250 law enforcement officers, multiple local, state, federal agencies, and numerous volunteers. Oropeza was transported and booked into the Montgomery County Jail without incident. Oropeza will go to the magistrate, then brought back to the San Jacinto County Jail where he will be held on a five million dollar bond."

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How did FBI arrest Francisco Oropesa?

The FBI received a “one-time random tip” from someone with “courage and bravery” on the suspects' whereabouts at 5.15 pm on May 2, according to News Nation. US Marshals, Texas DPS, and Border Patrol’s BORTAC team responded to the location, and was "caught hiding in a closet underneath some laundry," Capers said at a press conference. The officials arrested Oropesa at around 6.30 pm. He is now being held on five counts of murder and a $5 million bond. An unidentified woman was also detained at the scene and is reported to be his aunt, as per Independent, 

How did the attack happen?

A total of 15 people, who had come to help for a church event, gathered on April 28 in a home in Cleveland, as per Wilson Garcia, whose wife, Sonia Argentina Guzman, and son, Daniel Enrique Laso, were killed. Oropesa allegedly opened fire on neighbors after one complained that the sound of shots coming is not letting an infant sleep, as per Today. Garcia said, “So we went and told the man to please stop shooting, or go continue shooting further away from the house. But he answered by saying he was in his property and could do whatever he wants. I said, ‘OK that’s fine. It’s your property, but could you please move further away or turn it down, that’s all. Then he began insulting us and we told him we were calling the cops.”

“We walked inside and my wife was talking to the police, and we called five times because he was being more threatening. We saw him, he was leaving his property and cocked his gun. I told my wife to get inside because he cocked his gun and he might come to threaten us. So my wife said, ‘You go inside, I don’t think he will fire at me because I’m a woman, I’ll stay here at the door.’” CNN quoted him as saying. But Oropesa proceeded towards Garcia’s home, shot his wife in the doorway, and then killed three other adults, Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18 and Garcia’s nine-year-old son.

Oropesa is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office. The governor said in a news conference that Oropesa had been deported from the US four times and was back in Texas illegally. He was first removed by an immigration judge in March 2009, states Independent. And then again, in September 2009, January 2012, and July 2016. 

‘Close the border’

Following his arrest, many were quick to comment with one pointing out, "Good for them. And whoever alerted LE to his whereabouts. Is safe to assume he's not here legally (because he was deported so many times prior)? Kind of sucks taxpayers will be funding his stay at gray bar motel." On the other hand, many praised the officials. One commented, "Well done FBI and every officer who ensured he was apprehended!" One more asked, "Who was the registered owner of the weapon used?" Another suggested, "Now close the border!!!"

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