Manhunt underway in Texas after mass shooting

Francisco Oropesa
Photo credit FBI Houston

The search continues for a Texas man accused of shooting five of his neighbors to death because they asked him to stop firing his gun.

Francisco Oropesa, 38, has been on the run since Friday, when police say he burst into his neighbors' house and killed five members of a family – including a 9-year-old boy – because they complained that his gunshots were keeping them awake.

On Sunday, law enforcement officials said hundreds of officers are out searching for Oropesa but so far, they have "zero leads."

The FBI is warning Texas residents to be on alert, noting Oropesa is "likely armed" with an AR-15-style rifle.

"He's a threat to the community," FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge James Smith said during a press conference.

An $80,000 reward is being offered for Oropesa's capture -- including $50,000 from Gov. Greg Abbot, $25,000 from the FBI and $5,000 from other counties.

As the search continues, Smith said he hopes the large reward will encourage someone with information to come forward.

"We cannot continue down this path until we get him apprehended and arrested," he said, per CBS News. "We're asking everyone to bring this monster to justice."

The shooting occurred just before midnight Friday in the Trails End area of Cleveland, Texas, about 45 miles northeast of Houston. Deputies were dispatched to a residence for a harassment complaint and received multiple 911 calls about an active shooter as they made their way to the scene.

According to police, Oropesa targeted his neighbors after they asked him to stop firing off rounds in his front yard because they didn't want the noise to wake a sleeping baby. After responding that he would do what he wanted in his yard, Oropesa approached their home and started shooting, police said.

Four people were found dead inside the home and a little boy died at the hospital. The San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office said all five victims were shot above the neck at close range, "almost execution-style." Two victims were found laying over children, in apparent attempt to shield them from the gunfire, police said. Three children who were found covered in blood were also taken to the hospital, but they were uninjured.

The victims were all living in the same home, though it's not clear how they were related. They are identified as Sonia Guzman, 28; Diana Velasquez, 21; Obdulia Molina, 31; Jonathan Caceres, 18, and Daniel Enrique Lazo, 9, KHOU reported.

Several dozen law enforcement officials are currently investigating leads, including the FBI Houston Office and their SWAT team, the United States Marshals and Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, Harris County Sheriff's Office VIPER Task Force, Liberty County Sheriff's Office SRT and CID, Texas DPS and Texas Rangers, and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Tracking dogs initially picked up Oropesa's scent but lost the trail. Officers also found his cell phone abandoned, along with articles of clothing.

During a press briefing on Saturday, officials admitted that Oropesa "could be anywhere now," though they vowed to continue searching and to bring justice to the victims.

An arrest warrant citing five counts of murder has been issued for Oropesa. A judge has also assigned a $5 million bond.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: FBI Houston