From severe weather and a World Series win, to gun violence and an at-times contentious legislative session, 2023 featured plenty of major headlines. Over the last two weeks of the year, KRLD is looking back at the stories that defined the year.
A man was told by his neighbors to stop firing his rifle. Later that night, he used it on them, killing five total people.
It happened the night of April 28 in southeast Texas about six miles from the town of Cleveland. Neighbors told 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza that a baby was in their home trying to sleep. The baby couldn't fall asleep over the sound of him firing an AR-15 in his yard next door.
Oropeza, who was allegedly drunk said no, that it was his yard. The neighbor threatened to call the police and that's when Oropeza went into their home and fired away, shooting his victims execution-style in the head.
At least ten people were in that home. They were all members of the same family, and five died. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers identified the victims.
There was a big incentive to find them. Texas offered $50,000 for information leading to an arrest. It eventually went up to $100,000.
Oropeza evaded capture for four days and was nabbed the second after a tip was called in.
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