Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Texas Manhunt Ends After Suspected Gunman Caught

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A four-day manhunt for the illegal immigrant suspected of killing five of his neighbors with an AR-15-style rifle ended without incident Tuesday night.

Officers apprehended Francisco Oropeza, 38, when acting on a tip, they found him hiding under a pile of laundry at a house 20 miles from the shooting.

According to authorities, Oropeza murdered five family members Friday at 11:30 p.m. after some of them asked him to shoot his rifle further from his home so late at night. They said the sound of gunshots kept their baby awake.

Oropeza, who had been deported four times, allegedly went on an “execution-style” shooting spree. The deceased included three females, two males and an 8-year-old boy.

All were shot in the head.

As early as Tuesday morning, had no idea about Oropeza's whereabouts. Many feared he had already left the country.

By the day's end, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers confidently said, “He will live out his life behind bars for killing those five.”

Politico further reports:

The tip that finally ended the chase came at 5:15 p.m., and a little more than an hour later, Oropeza was in custody, said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. The alleged shooter is a Mexican national who has been deported four times between 2009 and 2016, according to U.S. immigration officials

Connor Hagan, an FBI spokesman, said they would not disclose the identity of the person who called in the tip — one of more than 200 tips he says investigators received. Authorities did not say who owned the house, whether Oropeza knew them or if anyone else was inside when he was found.

Hagan said the three agencies that went in to arrest Oropeza were the U.S. Marshals, Department of Public Safety and US Border Patrol's BORTAC team.

Drones and scent-tracking dogs had been used during the widening manhunt, which included combing a heavily wooded forest a few miles from the scene. Republican Gov. offered $50,000 in reward money as the search dragged late into the weekend.

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Patrick Houck
Patrick Houck
Patrick Houck is an avid political enthusiast based out of the Washington, D.C. metro area. His expertise is in campaigns and the use of targeted messaging to persuade voters. When not combing through the latest news, you can find him enjoying the company of family and friends or pursuing his love of photography.

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