The manhunt expanded Sunday for the suspect in a shooting rampage at a rural Texas home that left five people dead, the homeowner in shock and a community in fear and mourning.
More than 250 officers, including the FBI and a dozen surrounding law enforcement agencies, are now involved in the search for Francisco Oropeza, 38, the alleged suspect in Friday’s shooting near the town of Cleveland, about 45 miles north of Houston.
During a brief news conference Sunday afternoon, authorities say they have “zero leads” on Oropeza.
“We do not know where he is. We do not have any tips on where he may be,” James Smith, FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge told reporters, adding that authorities are uncertain if the suspect is even still in the area.
“We have personnel from federal, state, and local agencies trying to bring this subject into custody so we can bring justice to those five victims and their families,” Smith said.
“We cannot continue down this path until we get him apprehended and arrested.” added Smith, who also pleaded for the public’s help “so that we can bring this monster to justice.”
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers told reporters that officers are going door-to-door looking for information. He hopes those who may have any ideas about Oropeza will be incentivized by an increased $80,000 reward.
Capers said authorities are also in touch with Oropeza’s wife who is cooperating with investigators as they try “seeking closure” for the victims.
“It is my number one priority to find this suspect,” Capers said.
Also during Sunday’s news conference, Smith said the FBI initially released the wrong suspect’s photo and corrected it.
“It was a mistake on our side of it,” Smith said. “We identified it, we acted quickly to remove that photo. We looked at what we had, and now we are 100% confident that we have the right photo out there.”
Details and developments:
►FBI spokesperson Christina Garza said investigators do not believe everyone at the home were members of a single family.
►All the victims are believed to be from Honduras, and some had moved to Cleveland from Houston a few days ago, Capers said. He said the suspect was from Mexico.
►Honduras Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said on Twitter that the Honduran Consulate in Houston was making contact with the families of the victims. Reina demanded the suspect face “the full weight of the law.”
Texas mass shooting victims identified
Authorities late Saturday identified the victims as Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 8. Four of the victims died at the scene; Daniel died at a hospital a short time after the shooting Friday night.
Authorities say Oropeza was firing a gun in his yard when neighbors asked him to stop shooting because a young child was trying to sleep. Oropeza dismissed the complaint, saying he had a right to do whatever he wanted on his property. The confrontation quickly escalated, Capers said.
“The next thing they know, he’s walking up the driveway with a rifle in hand,” Capers said.
Video from the house shows the suspect heading up to the front door. Capers said there were 10 people in the house at the time of the shooting. Two victims were found draped over children who survived, indicating a heroic effort to save them.
SUSPECT ‘COULD BE ANYWHERE’: Search expands for man accused of killing 5 neighbors in Texas
Homeowner describes clash that led to shooting
Wilson Garcia, who owns the home where the tragedy unfolded, told KTRK-TV that his wife and 8-year-old son were killed in the attack. Garcia said he moved in three years ago and had no problems with his neighbor before Friday. Garcia said his family was preparing a meal when the suspect began shooting on his own property. Garcia said he told the man he was going to call the police.
“We asked him not to shoot there because my baby was scared,” Garcia said.
Garcia said his wife was shot while standing on the porch. He said the gunman “went from room to room looking for people.” Two more women killed were protecting his baby in a crib, Garcia said. He said he fled and the gunman fired at him multiple times but missed.
“I can’t believe what he did,” Garcia said. “He came shooting inside the house, it’s horrible, it’s appalling.”
‘WE SHOULDN’T BE SHOCKED’:Wrong-place shootings have plagued US communities for decades
AR-15-style rifle seized by authorities
Authorities cast a wide net in the search, Capers acknowledging the suspect “could be anywhere now.” Capers said a cell phone, clothes, and the AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting were recovered. A search of the suspect’s home turned up more weapons, Capers said.
Officers, dogs, and drones were aiding the search. Residents of Cleveland, a town of 7,500 people 45 miles north of Houston, were told to be alert – and to lock their doors.
“Stay in your house. Be vigilant. Keep your eyes open. If you see anything, say something,” Capers said. “This man is very dangerous and he is armed, potentially.”
Capers said his deputies had been to Oropeza’s home at least once before and spoke with him about shooting in the yard, but it was not clear whether any legal action was taken. Capers said firing a gun on your own property can be illegal, but he did not say whether Oropeza had previously broken the law.
Neighbor said suspect once threatened to kill his dog
All the victims were shot in the head area, “execution style,” Capers said.
Rene Arevalo Sr., who lives nearby, said he heard gunshots around midnight – but shrugged it off as a common occurrence. Arevalo said Oropeza once threatened to kill his dog after it got loose in the neighborhood and chased the pit bull in his truck.
“I tell my wife all the time, ‘Stay away from the neighbors. Don’t argue with them. You never know how they’re going to react,’” Arevalo said. “I tell her that because Texas is a state where you don’t know who has a gun and who is going to react that way.”
RECENT HOME SHOOTING INCIDENTS:Illinois man using leaf blower in his yard fatally shot by neighbor, authorities say
Mass killings happening more often in US this year
With at least 18 shootings that left four or more people dead since Jan. 1, mass killings in the U.S. could set a new record this year. according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA TODAY, in partnership with Northeastern University.
Texas has confronted multiple mass shootings in recent years, including the attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde last year that left 21 dead; a racist assault at an El Paso Walmart in 2019 that killed 23; and a gunman opening fire at a church in the tiny town of Sutherland Springs in 2017 that left more than two dozen people dead.
Contributing: Mike Snider and Christine Fernando, USA TODAY; The Associated Press