A mass shooting in Cleveland left five people dead, including a 9-year-old boy, according to the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO).
Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 9, were killed in the shooting. The SJCSO posted the news on its Facebook page.
The release stated that the incident happened just after 11:30 p.m. Friday in the 100 block of Walters Road in the Trails End area of Cleveland.
Deputies were initially called to the residence for a harassment call, but while en route to the home, several calls flooded 911 about an active shooter at the same location, according to the release.
When deputies arrived, they discovered four people dead and six others suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
A medical helicopter transported Laso to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to officials, Montgomery County SWAT arrived at the scene to assist SJCSO deputies with clearing neighboring properties. After searching nearby, deputies determined that the suspect had fled the scene.
Ten people were inside the home when the shooting occurred. Three were transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Their status is currently unknown. Two others were tended to at the scene by medical personnel and released, according to officials.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of the suspect, 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza.
The incident began when Oropeza’s neighbors allegedly confronted him about shooting guns in his yard, asking him to stop because their young child was trying to sleep, according to WFAA.
Sheriff Greg Capers spoke to reporters during a press conference about the situation and asked residents to stay inside.
“Just stay in your house,” Capers said. “Be vigilant. Keep your eyes open. If you see anything, say something … this man is very dangerous, and he is armed, potentially.”
The FBI is assisting with the case.
Police are asking anyone who sees Oropeza to call 911 and not take matters into their own hands.
Murder continues to plague certain Texas cities, and Dallas has seen a 23% increase in murders/non-negligent homicides year-over-year, according to the Dallas Police Daily Crime Brief on April 30.
