In a tragic incident that left the community of Cleveland, Texas, shocked and grief-stricken, a man identified as Francisco Oropeza, 38, shot and killed five of his neighbors, including an 8-year-old and a 15-year-old, in an almost execution-style murder. The incident took place after Oropeza refused to stop firing a rifle in his yard when asked by his neighbors. The man then went next door and opened fire, killing five people. The victims, believed to be from Honduras, were shot from the neck up, with some of them appearing to be protecting children.
 Suspect Flees the Scene, Search Widen to Cover 10-20 Miles
According to San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers, Oropeza fled the scene and may still be carrying a weapon. Authorities are using scent-tracking dogs and an overhead drone to search for him in a wooded forest a few miles away. Capers has asked residents nearby to avoid the area due to the heavy police presence, and the search has been widened to cover 10-20 miles from the murder scene.
 Intoxication May Have Played a Role in the Tragic Incident
Investigations show that Oropeza may have been intoxicated at the time of the shooting, and authorities had previously been to his home and spoken to him about shooting his gun in the yard. The FBI is assisting in the search for the suspect.
 Mass Killing in the U.S. Could Set a New Record 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. In a recent incident, 11 people aged 15 to 19 were injured in a shooting in Texas last week after a prom after-party.
The tragic incident in Cleveland, Texas, highlights the need for stricter gun control measures in the U.S. With the suspect still on the loose, law enforcement authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their search for Francisco Oropeza. The incident is a reminder that gun violence can strike anywhere, at any time, and that communities must work together to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
