The Mexican national wanted in the execution-style shooting of five of his neighbors in Texas remained at large more than 24 hours later Sunday morning and “could be anywhere” by now.
FBI Houston tweeted Sunday morning that the multi-agency search for suspect Francisco Oropeza, 38 continues. “Reminder, if you see him DO NOT approach him. He is armed and dangerous. If you have a tip about his whereabouts call the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office at 936-653-4367,” the tweet read.
Oropeza is accused of shooting and killing five neighbors, including an 8-year-old child, in the 100 block of Walters Road in the Trails End area of Cleveland, Texas.
At the most recent press conference Saturday evening, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said all future updates would come from the FBI.
FBI Houston also said Sunday the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office is releasing another photo of Oropeza taken in August 2022, as well as an image of his large tattoo of what authorities say appears to be “a female Aztec” on his left forearm.
“He could be anywhere now,” Capers said Saturday evening, explaining how investigators have widened their perimeter from about 5 or 6 square miles to “as much as 10 or 20 depending on whether or not he crossed the highline wire.”
Authorities found an abandoned cell phone and articles of clothing lying around, and tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Correction “picked up a scent and then … lost that scent in the water,” according to the sheriff.
The deceased victims have been identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Daniel Enrique Laso Guzman, 8; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; and Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18. Capers detailed how the suspect was known to shoot his AR-15 Style 223 outside his home, as evidenced by the number of shell casings in the yard.
A judge has issued an arrest warrant for the suspect and already assigned a $5 million bond for when he’s taken into custody.
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