Man that killed five remains at large, FBI joins manhunt
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The Cleveland, Texas suspect, Francisco Oropeza, who allegedly killed his neighbors, still remains at large.
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San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers talks to investigators at the scene where five people were shot and killed the night before, Saturday, April 29, 2023, in unincorporated San Jacinto County, Texas. The suspect, Francisco Oropeza, who lives next door, is still at large. (AP)
In Cleveland, Texas, a man by the name of Francisco Oropeza has been accused of allegedly killing five of his neighbors, one of whom is a child, after he was asked to stop firing his rifle outdoors.
FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge James Smith said that the man, who committed this mass shooting, has been considered "armed and dangerous,” adding that "he’s out there, and he’s a threat to the community."
Oropeza, 38, allegedly opened fire on the family after they asked him to stop firing his gun since the baby was trying to sleep, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said Saturday.
The bodies of the victims were found dispersed across different rooms in the house, and the suspect was seen entering through one surveillance camera.
It appeared that two children survived because two women, who were found in a bedroom, used their bodies as shields, Capers explained.
As for those that lost their lives, they were shot “almost execution style,” above the neck at close range, the sheriff added.
More mass shootings in the US than days thus far in 2023: DHS chief
There have been more mass shootings in 2023 in the United States than there have been days, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on April 21.
"We have had more mass shootings in this country in 2023 than we have days of the year," Mayorkas said at the Council of Foreign Relations.
More and more people are falling victim to mass shootings throughout the country, the DHS chief revealed.
According to Mayorkas, it is highly important for law enforcement and local communities to cooperate to prevent massacres.
The authorities have to fund and equip communities so they can determine in a timely manner whether a person is planning to take the path of violence, the secretary said.
The US has seen 167 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Only 105 days have passed since the start of 2023.
The number of US children and teens killed by gunfire witnessed a drastic increase between 2019 and 2021, a publication by Pew Research Center revealed.
The number of children and teens killed rose by 50% in a two-year period, and more children were killed in 2021 than in any year since 1999.
Read more: Colorado Governor inks gun control bills after massacre
