Women Used Bodies To Shield Children, Victims Shot Above The Neck: All About The Texas Shooting

A Texas man is at large after he fatally shot five people, including an 8-year-old boy, in a Friday night rampage that started with a noise complaint about gunfire.

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, remained at large more than 18 hours after the shooting and authorities warned that he might still be armed. The incident happened on Friday midnight in Cleveland, north of Houston, when neighbours asked the suspect to stop shooting the rife in his yard because a baby was trying to sleep, US media reported. The suspect then walked into the neighbour¡¯s house and started shooting.

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All about the horrific incident

Here's everything about the horrific incident.

A total of 10 people were at the property at the time of shooting. The adults were declared dead at the scene, while an eight-year-old died at a hospital. The victims were all from Honduras.

The shooting happened on Friday night in the small town of Cleveland, San Jacinto County, north of Houston. The victims, aged from eight to 40 years old, were strewn from the front door through the house to an inside bedroom, including two women who were found lying on top of two surviving children, according to local Sheriff Greg Capers.

Reuters

'Almost execution style' shooting

The victims were shot above the neck at close range ¨C ¡°almost execution style,¡± according to the police.

"In my opinion, they were actually trying to take care of the babies and keep them alive," Sheriff Capers told a local station KTRK. He added that all the victims had been shot "from the neck up, almost execution style, basically in the head".

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers described a horrifying scene when authorities went to the residence after receiving a call about "harassment" around 11:30 pm Friday.

AP

Suspect had been drinking before he went on a rampage

Investigators believe that the victims had asked Oropez, who it is thought had been drinking, to stop shooting as they were trying to put a baby to sleep. According to Sheriff Capers, the man replied: "I'll shoot out in my front yard, do what I want to in my own residence."

After both parties returned to their houses, the gunman "topped off his magazine, and walked down his driveway... into the people's house and started shooting," Sheriff Capers said.

The suspect Oropez, believed to be Mexican, is still on the run and thought to be armed. He has been charged with five counts of murder. Residents were being asked to stay inside until the man is apprehended, KTRK reported.

AP

The incident occurred days after nine people were injured at a shooting during a Teen Party in western Texas. Four young people were shot dead two weeks ago during a 16th birthday party in Alabama.

Firearm incidents are the top cause of death for US children and teenagers, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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