Wanted man accused of killing 5 in Texas is captured after dayslong search
05/03/2023 12:31 pm PDT
SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas (TCD) -- The man suspected of killing five people over the weekend was found hiding in a closet in a nearby county and arrested following a multiday manhunt.
On Tuesday, May 2, the FBI’s Houston bureau announced 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza — whose last name is also spelled Oropesa by law enforcement — was captured at a residence in Conroe at approximately 6:45 p.m. In addition to Oropeza’s arrest, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office took his wife, 53-year-old Divimara Nava, into custody on charges of hindering apprehension of a known felon.
Investigators reportedly "recovered multiple pieces of evidence" at the home where he was found.
Oropeza has since been transferred from Montgomery County to the San Jacinto County Jail.
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said in a press conference Tuesday evening investigators found Oropeza "hiding in a closet underneath some laundry."
Information about Oropeza’s location came in through the FBI tip line regarding the case. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul thanked the person who called in the tip, adding, "We always said it wasn’t a matter of 'if' but 'when' he would be captured, and we’re glad this evening was that ‘when’ we’ve all been waiting for."
He is being held on $5 million bond.
Oropeza is accused of shooting and killing several of his neighbors after one of them asked him to stop shooting his AR-15 rifle in his yard because the neighbor’s young child was trying to sleep. Oropeza allegedly ran up to the neighbor’s house and opened fire, fatally shooting five people, including a 9-year-old boy.
The victims were identified as 25-year-old Sonia Argentina Guzman, 21-year-old Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 31-year-old Julisa Molina Rivera, 18-year-old Jonathan Cesarez, and 9-year-old Daniel Enrique Laso.
According to the New York Times, Oropeza had previously been deported back to Mexico four times since 2009.
MORE:
- Captured - FBI Houston
- Update on Arrest of Oropesa and Nava - Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
- San Jacinto Co. sheriff gives update on arrest of Francisco Oropeza - KHOU-TV
- Fugitive Accused of Killing 5 in Texas Was Deported Several Times, Officials Say - The New York Times
- Manhunt continues for Texas man accused of fatally shooting 5, including 9-year-old boy - TCD
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